Canada is facing a growing drug crisis, and a leading psychiatrist believes outdated thinking and flawed policies are making it worse. Dr. Kwame McKenzie, a well-known mental health expert, says the country’s current approach is failing. He shared his insights on a recent episode of the Global Health Matters podcast.
Dr. McKenzie is the CEO of the Wellesley Institute and Director of Health Equity at Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. He says the problem goes beyond health and touches on language, politics, and trust.
One of his main concerns is the way society talks about drug use. “The term ‘substance abuse’ is outdated,” McKenzie said. “We now say ‘substance use’ because it focuses on health, not blame.” Changing how we talk about drug use helps reduce stigma and supports people who need help.
Dr. McKenzie also pointed out that alcohol, not illegal drugs, is the most harmful substance in Canada. “Heavy drinking affects 16% of Canadians,” he said. By contrast, only about 3% use illegal drugs. Still, the opioid crisis has become deadly.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada recorded about 11 deaths each day from opioid toxicity. That number rose to over 21 daily deaths by 2022. Dr. McKenzie explained that the rise is linked to a more toxic and unpredictable drug supply. The pandemic disrupted supply chains, making street drugs more dangerous.
Some Canadian provinces tried to address the issue by easing drug laws. But recent political pressure has led to a shift back toward strict policies. Dr. McKenzie is concerned by this. “We’ve returned to political arguments that see substance use as a moral failure,” he said. This thinking, he warns, is not supported by science.
To show a better path, he pointed to Portugal’s approach. Portugal treats drug use as a health issue, not a crime. “The number of people in treatment has gone up,” he said. “Did it reduce drug use? No. But that wasn’t the goal. The goal was to help people, and that worked.”
Dr. McKenzie stressed that criminalizing drug use causes more harm. “If you want to create cartels and deepen the drug problem, then a war on drugs will do that,” he said. “It doesn’t work.”
He says it’s time for Canada to rethink its strategy. Policymakers should focus on public health, not punishment. “There are no easy fixes,” he said. “We need to make smart choices. We may have to give up some things to reach our goals.”
Experts like Dr. McKenzie believe change is possible. But it will require strong leadership and a focus on facts, not fear. The current drug policy, built on stigma and punishment, is not working. A shift toward health-based support may be Canada’s best chance to end the crisis.
