Jane was a health-care worker who got a back injury and was prescribed an opioid painkiller. That was the start of her descent into addiction. After the prescription ended, Jane spent 10 years seeking the drug on the street. She got into conflict with the law and experienced an overdose.

Not all doctors agree that providing people with a safe supply of the drugs they have become dependent on is an effective treatment for some people who are addicted. It is increasingly being seen as an option and studies are starting to show its effectiveness, but it is only available to a small number of patients in Nova Scotia, partly because very few doctors are willing to prescribe a safe supply.

Dr Leisha Hawker, President of Doctors Nova Scotia, are working on a strategy to offer a safe drug supply for patients with addictions.

Imagine having the results of your bloodwork, X-rays, prescriptions, and medical history available on one computerized health record that travels with you to appointments — whether in person or online — to see a family doctor or a specialist, and which will remain accessible if your doctor retires and you’re lucky enough to find another…

A recent survey by the Canadian Medical Association shows higher levels of burnout, depression, emotional exhaustion and anxiety among Canadian doctors, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has been hard on people’s physical health. It hasn’t been positive for people’s mental health, either. Just ask the Public Health Agency of Canada. In 2021, suicidal thoughts were being reported by 4.2 per cent of adults. That compares with 2.7 per cent in 2019, before COVID. If you think that’s bad, new Canadian Medical Association data suggests doctors were reporting suicidal thoughts at more than three times that rate.