This report was commissioned by Health Canada with the aim of mapping out countries current stance in terms of opioids use, both legal and illegal, and to review evidence about the existent policies to prevent and reduce associated negative consequences. In addition, other member countries expressed their interest in the topic due to past experience or current problematic situations.
This is the first project in the OECD Health Division devoted to the area of drug policy, particularly, including illicit substances. In particular, this report builds on the OECD’s long-standing programme of work on the economics of public health, applying this extensive expertise to country-specific challenges.
Health systems across OECD are increasingly under pressure from emerging or re-emerging health challenges, along with growing citizen’s demand for strong public health responses. In the area of drug policy, the latter requires a particular focus on multisectoral actions and coordinated efforts. The report presents data on the magnitude of the problem across OECD countries, describes the main drivers of the crisis, and identifies a set of policy actions within health systems, social policy and law enforcement sectors, with strong health information systems and better research as policy levers. It highlights best practice examples that allow learning from shared experiences and the spreading of innovative approaches.