MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
requires both physician and public member contribution . Practical problems may arise if physicians are unable to contribute their experience and clinical knowledge to college committees . There are instances where physician expertise is essential – credential review on the Registration Committee and consideration of clinical matters on ICRC and the Discipline Committee , to name just a few .
We will keep you abreast of all changes as the Bill moves through the legislative process .
****** We have written before in these pages about the opioid and drug crisis . It is costing us hundreds of lives each year . In fact , a friend of my family – a bright , young woman of 22 – was among the number of Ontario fatalities last year .
There are many reasons for opioid misuse , and it is an issue owned by all of society . The victims of addiction always deserve our support and help . And to the extent that we can mitigate the opioid crisis by supporting physicians in moving to better practice and prescribing standards , the College is prepared to do all that we can .
On page 24 , we present an infographic based on the Ontario Narcotics Atlas . The Atlas provides a comprehensive picture of opioid prescribing and dispensing activity in Ontario and has been created using data collected by the Narcotics Monitoring System . The Atlas describes opioid utilization across Ontario – the individuals receiving opioids , and patterns in opioid prescribing and dispensing over time and across geographies . I urge you to take a look at it and see how your community compares .
In closing , I would just like to say how honoured I am to be the President of this organization for the next year . I look forward to working with all of you . MD
We welcome your feedback on any issue raised in Dialogue .
We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity .
Please send letters to :
Elaine McNinch , Managing Editor
Mailing address : College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario 80 College St , Toronto , ON , M5G 2E2 Fax : ( 416 ) 961-8035 Email : editor @ cpso . on . ca
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Dialogue Issue 1 , 2017