Question Period Note: METHAMPHETAMINE

In recent years, most provinces (particularly Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) have seen a marked increase in methamphetamine use, including an increase in overdoses in which methamphetamine was involved. Two reports on methamphetamine issues in Canada were published in June 2019 – one by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA) and one by the Manitoba Illicit Drug Task Force. Both reports highlight the increasing rates of methamphetamine use and harms in Canada. Reports by the media on the use of methamphetamine in the Prairie provinces have used terms such as “crisis” and “epidemic”.

• What is the federal government doing to address the increasing reports of methamphetamine use in Canada?`

• We are deeply concerned about the growing reports of methamphetamine use in Canada and the risks it poses to the health and safety of Canadians.

• We are taking action to address this issue. Budget 2018 committed $150 million for an Emergency Treatment Fund to enhance provincial and territorial drug treatment services, including those addressing methamphetamine use.

• More recently, in July 2019, we announced an additional investment of up to $76.2 million to address the opioid crisis and problematic substance use. $31.3 million of which will address emerging drug threats and the growing use of methamphetamine.

• We are also working with law enforcement partners to quickly identify and control any precursor chemicals that can be used in the illegal production of methamphetamine.

IF PRESSED ON FEDERAL FUNDING:

• The Emergency Treatment Fund is a one-time investment of $150 million to provinces and territories to improve drug treatment services. This is matched by the provinces and territories, bringing the total investment to $300 million.

• The Emergency Treatment Fund Bilateral Agreements were negotiated with all provinces and territories. Specifically, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have committed to use these funds to improve accessibility to methamphetamine treatment services.

• In July 2019, we announced an additional investment of up to $76.2 million to address problematic substance use, of which $31.3 million will address emerging drug threats, including the growing use of methamphetamine

• We have also invested $30 million over five years through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Harm Reduction Fund. This funding will support projects across Canada that will help reduce HIV and hepatitis C among people who share drug-use equipment.

IF PRESSED ON PRODUCTION AND TRAFFICKING:

• Health Canada works closely with law enforcement at all levels to identify and control chemicals that can be used in the illegal production of drugs.

• Most recently, in May 2019, we scheduled two novel precursors that have no legitimate use and can be used in the production of methamphetamine and other amphetamines such as MDMA.

• This will allow the Canada Border Services Agency, the RCMP, and other law enforcement officers to take action to prevent specific precursor chemicals from entering Canada and be used in the illegal production of drugs.

IF PRESSED ON METHAMPHETAMINE REPORTS:

• The Government is committed to working with provinces, territories, and other partners to build on activities that support a health-focussed approach to problematic substance use, including the problematic use of methamphetamines.

• Recent reports from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health and the Manitoba Illicit Drug Task Force highlight the growing concerns around problematic methamphetamine use and harms in Canada.

• We will continue to review these reports to identify areas where additional action can be taken to address problematic methamphetamine use in Canada.

Methamphetamine is an illegal, highly addictive synthetic substance. It is often referred to as “meth”, “crystal meth” or “speed”, and it can be used by smoking, snorting, swallowing or injecting. It can be produced by using commonly available chemicals (e.g. hydrochloric acid) and over-the-counter medications (e.g., ephedrine, pseudoephedrine).

Historically, rates of methamphetamine use in Canada have been low compared to those for other drugs, such as opioids or cannabis. While comprehensive national data on methamphetamine use is lacking, there are signs that levels of use and related harms are increasing. Data from Health Canada’s Drug Analysis Service (DAS) shows that between 2007 and 2018 there has been a three-fold increase in methamphetamine samples seized by law enforcement, with a more than ten-fold increase in some Prairie provinces. DAS data from 2019 shows that methamphetamine and cocaine are the two most commonly seized substances. After opioids, methamphetamine is often the second most commonly reported substance used in supervised consumption sites (SCS). For example, at the SCS in Lethbridge, Alberta in 2018, methamphetamine was the most commonly used substance (38.8%), followed by heroin (33.1%). Methamphetamine is also a growing concern in Ontario. Ontario deaths where methamphetamine was involved have increased from 14 in 2012 to 217 in 2017, according to preliminary Ontario Coroner’s data.

Unlike problematic opioid use, there are currently no approved drug-based therapies to treat problematic methamphetamine use. There are also fewer harm reduction options available compared to opioids (e.g., no version of naloxone). The most common harm reduction initiatives used to date in Canada are needle and pipe exchanges in order to reduce the risk of blood-borne infections, such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. The Province of Manitoba is also allowing paramedics to use the antipsychotic drug olanzapine to manage patients experiencing methamphetamine-associated psychosis.

In 2018-2019, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA) conducted a comprehensive study on the impacts of methamphetamine in Canada. The committee’s report and recommendations were tabled in the House of Commons on June 10, 2019. The report presented 23 recommendations for the federal government, in partnership with provinces, territories, and other non-governmental organizations. Due to the timing of the report, no official government response was required. In addition, Health Canada also participated in an intergovernmental Illicit Drug Task Force, co-chaired by the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba. The task force report was released on June 27, 2019 and included 24 recommendations for all levels of government regarding prevention and education, treatment, and disruption of the supply and enforcement of illegal drugs, with a focus placed on methamphetamine. Some of the recommendations of the Task Force aligned with the HESA report.

The federal government has made a number of investments to address problematic substance use issues, including the use of methamphetamine. For example, Budget 2018 provided $150 million in one-time emergency treatment funding, which is matched by provinces and territories, bringing the total investment to $300 million. Some provinces, notably Manitoba and Saskatchewan, will use this funding to improve methamphetamine treatment services. More recently, on July 17, 2019, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $76.2 million, to address the opioid crisis and problematic substance use, $31.3 million of which will be used to address emerging drug threats, including methamphetamine.

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