45 per cent of Canadians think use of opioids is a major problem: poll

A new poll shows that 45 per cent of Canadians believe the use of opioids is a major problem in their communities.

Research Co. conducted a survey asking 1,000 adult Americans and Canadians how they would describe the current situation related to the use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs in their community, their level of support for a variety of methods to address the overdose crisis, and how they feel various levels of governments are doing in handling the situation.

B.C. was tied for the highest percentage of people who consider it to be a major problem with the Atlantic provinces.

Quebec had the fewest people who responded in that way at 32 per cent.

Women (50%) were more likely to respond that it is a major problem than men (38%), though the breakdown across ages was similar with 43 per cent of 18-34 year olds saying it is a major problem, 48 per cent of 35-54 and 43 per cent of those aged 55+.

The survey asked whether people support or oppose methods to address the use of opioids in the community.

Looking at how various levels of government, the poll found less than 10 per cent responded very good for how the prime minister and federal government, premier and provincial government, member of parliament, member of the provincial legislature, or mayor and council are handling the crisis.

However, Canadians and British Columbians were more likely to respond these levels of government were doing good.

Research Co. conducted this online survey between Oct. 15 and 17, 2022 of 1,000 adults in Canada and the U.S. It rates the margin of error at +/- 3.1 per cent for each country.

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