The Island Health’s 2024 Chief Medical Health Officer (CMHO) report focuses on the health harms associated with the use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol, illegally manufactured opioids, tobacco, and cannabis.
The report, titled Challenge and Change: A Public Health Response to our Perplexing Relationship with Psychoactive Substances, reviews consumption and health outcome data for residents of Island Health related to substance use, including:
- Tobacco and alcohol consumption in Island Health is higher than in the rest of British Columbia
- Alcohol is the leading cause of substance-related hospital admissions in Island Health
- Unregulated drug poisonings are the top cause of death in people aged 19-59 in Island Health
- Premature death rate due to tobacco is declining, but tobacco remains the top cause of substance use-related premature death in Island Health
- Consumption and health harms related to substance use are inequitable across the Island Health region
The report also examines how differences in our approaches contribute to or mitigate harms associated with substances.
“Tobacco, alcohol, and illegally manufactured opioids all cause significant harm to the health of people in Island Health,” says Dr. Réka Gustafson. “These harms are preventable and together we have the opportunity to reshape the narrative and drive change to improve health in our communities.”
In British Columbia, medical health officers have the statutory responsibility to monitor and report on the health of the population, providing advice on public health issues and the implementation of relevant health promotion and protection policies.
“Public narrative around substances is increasingly polarized and often based on perception, opinion and history,” says Dr. Gustafson. “I hope the information in this report will support constructive conversations among communities, organizations, and people who use substances in Island Health to help identify and bring about meaningful change for the better.”
The report includes opportunities for actions in which evidence-based solutions could prevent further harms, including investing in prevention, supporting communities with knowledge to influence and develop policy changes, developing an effective and compassionate system of care for people who use substances, meaningfully addressing health inequities experienced by Indigenous Peoples, and advancing healthy public policies for substance use.
The report is intended to serve as an engagement tool to support dialogue among public health staff, clinicians, local governments, First Nation communities, and community organizations across Island Health to address the health and social challenges related to substance use in the Island Health region.