Current issues in mental health in Canada : Directions in federal substance abuse policy

Furthermore, the early onset of substance use can affect the development of the brain, creating the risk for increased use and addiction later in life. [...] The increasing rate of prescription drug abuse, which rose from 3.2% in 2011 to 6.5% in 2012, may be attributed to the increased availability of such drugs, as a result of their wider use in the treatment of chronic pain, the development of new slow-release formulations, and the public perception that they 40 are safer than illicit drugs. [...] Launched in 2011, the Framework is intended to guide changes to the NNADAP/NYSAP programs in order to better address key emerging substance-use issues facing First Nations and Inuit communities, including: the need for better coordination of services and supports across jurisdictions; the emergence of prescription drug abuse; and the unique treatment needs of certain populations (e.g., youth [...] The Framework articulates a vision for the renewal of the NNADAP/NYSAP system as a comprehensive continuum of services and supports that recognizes the connection between mental health and addiction issues. [...] Both legal and illegal psychoactive substances will continue to pose challenges to policy-makers as they seek to find a balance between the medical benefits of these substances and their potential harms, as reflected in the cases of both medical marijuana and the rise of prescription drug abuse in Canada.