Ontario is taking action to reduce the growing abuse of prescription narcotics and controlled substances with new legislation. 

The Narcotics Safety and Awareness Act was passed by the legislature today and upon Royal Assent will enable the province to collect and track information on all narcotics and other controlled substances dispensed in Ontario.

The legislation is a key component of the province’s Narcotics Strategy and will allow the province to create a database that will flag unusual patterns of narcotics and other controlled substances prescribing and dispensing. In instances of inappropriate activity, responses could include educational support and resources, reporting to the appropriate regulatory college and in extreme circumstances, law enforcement.

Other elements of the Narcotics Strategy include:

• Educating the health care sector on appropriate prescribing and dispensing

• Education to prevent excessive use of prescription narcotics

• Expanding the treatment of addictions.