Letter to the editor: Another health-care crisis looming

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ANOTHER CRISIS LOOMING

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If you are one of the thousands of Canadians who require a prescription opioid drug for pain, you should be aware of a looming crisis when your family doctor retires.

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When this happens, your next option is a doctor at a walk-in clinic since there are no available family doctors taking new patients. However, surprising as it may seem, doctors at many walk-in clinics are not allowed to prescribe opioids unless you are part of their roster and they are following up with you.

Most people who have been taking these drugs long-term cannot just stop taking them, as they are addicted.

So what is the next option for these people other than turning to drug dealers on the street?

I believe this issue needs to be highlighted now before our crowded emergency rooms have another crisis to deal with.

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DON DALY

NEPEAN

NO HEALTH-CARE FIX FOR CANADA

When I lived in England in the 1990s, the National Healthcare Service was struggling to keep up with demand. Fast forward to the present and major changes are underway to save that system. England is in the process of training thousands more doctors and nurses. It plans to acquire 300,000 doctors, nurses and health-care workers over the next 15 years.

For years, Canada has faced major health-care problems, including long patient wait times and a shortage of doctors, especially specialists and nurses. Yet now, with Canada in the exact same position in which England found itself, the Justin Trudeau government seems to be suffering from wilful blindness.

Not only are no radical steps being taken to save Canada’s ailing health-care system, Trudeau has exacerbated the dire situation with mass immigration and refugee policies.

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LARRY COMEAU

OTTAWA

BILL SHOULD BE LAST STRAW

The Liberal regime’s online harms bill should be the last straw for Canadians. Justin Trudeau will be creating three more levels of bureaucracy that will be in charge of deciding if you should be fined or thrown in jail for offending someone or hurting their feelings.

We already have laws in place for actual real crimes. Trudeau has no business even uttering the word “democracy.” Stop referring to Canadians as if you speak for us all. Two-thirds of us want you gone.

GISELE LAVICTOIRE

ORLÉANS

HAVE YOUR SAY

Your letters are welcome, at: OttSun.Oped@sunmedia.ca.Include your first and last nameAND city/town. Keep your letters short — and please try to be civil, even when criticizing or disagreeing. We edit for accuracy, length, clarity and legal concerns.

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