London doctors see ‘alarming numbers’ in youth opioid use, mirroring national trend – CBC
Young people, families face barriers accessing treatment for opioid abuse, editorial says
Oct 29, 2025
A London pediatrician is echoing the concerns raised in a new report about the alarming rise in opioid use by young people, and a lack of accessible treatment options and government action.
The report, an editorial published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, says the issue has been overlooked within the broader opioid crisis, which it says continues to kill more than 18 people a day in Canada.
“Hidden within this number lies an even more shocking crisis — many deaths from the illicit opioid supply occur in youth,” write Dr. Shannon Charlebois and Dr. Shawn Kelly.
“If this is crisis is not properly addressed now, Canada’s health systems will play a part in perpetuating the opioid crisis for decades to come.”
