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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 24, 2016 | 22 Quelling opioid abuse crisis continued from p.14 who are dealing with it from Canada," he said, noting the committee heard from stakeholders, including federal and provincial representatives, healthcare professionals, addiction experts, emergency frontline responders, First Nations representatives and those who've experienced substance abuse and addictions. The committee heard "powerful testimony" on how powdered fentanyl is believed to be coming from China, mixed in basement labs and made into illegal prescription pills. Two fentanyl grains the size of salt grains will kill you, said Oliver, noting it's 100 times more potent than prescription painkillers, such as oxycodone. From his experience in the healthcare field, he admitted illicit drugs and opioids have always been a concern, but nothing of this magnitude. "This is truly a very unique situation where these are incredibly toxic drugs and they are coming in to Canada mostly from China, the illicit fentanyl is coming in from China, and it's just had a profound toxic impact on people who are taking pills that are made illegally," he said. There are situations where opioids are warranted, such as palliative pain management, Oliver said, the committee believes prescription practices on chronic pain need to be reviewed. An "important conversation" between the prescribing doctor and patient should outline risks and dangers of addiction and opioids should only be prescribed after all alternatives are considered. Oliver said he's doing his best to spread awareness about the crisis and has brought his concerns to Halton Region's Health Department to encourage them to alert Halton residents. He said he strongly urges parents of teens and young adults to talk about smart choices at parties and to outline the risk of experimenting with unknown, illicit and prescription drugs. Those with opioid prescriptions should keep them stored securely, out of reach of children. The report he worked on with the Standing Committee on Health has been made available to Health Minister Jane Philpott, who along with Dr. Eric Hoskins, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, hosted an Opioid Conference and Summit in Ottawa Nov. 17 and 18. Saturday (Nov. 19), Philpott and Hoskins announced a commitment to act on the crisis. "We have agreed to work within our respective areas of responsibility to improve prevention, treatment and harm reduction associated with problematic opioid use through timely, concrete actions that deliver clear results and we commit to reporting on our progress in delivering those results," they said in a joint statement. Health Canada has promised to support a range of tools and harm reduction measures for communities, including supervised injection sites. It may propose amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. It has also committed to creating an action plan, which will be published in February 2017. at Oakville WIN A $250 Gift Card to your favourite Dorval Crossing Store! Enter at www.dorvalcrossing.com Contest Ends December 31st, 2016 Over 60 Shops & Services located at the QEW & Dorval Drive Visit dorvalcrossing.com for more information