Thanks very much, Chair Lobb.
I'd like to thank everyone, all of the witnesses and all of our members
Today constitutes the last day of our study on this subject, and I think all members of this committee were heartened to see that the economic action plan proposes to invest almost $45 million for this very subject. We'll be expanding the national anti-drug strategy to include prescription drug abuse. It's pretty clear that the government has been paying attention to the hard work of all our committee members, so that was very welcome news.
According to the National Advisory Council on Prescription Drug Misuse, women may be considered an at-risk group for prescription drug abuse because they're more likely than men to be prescribed to for non-medical reasons, such as coping with stress or grief, or apparently, for adjusting to childbirth or menopause.
Perhaps I can turn this question to Dr. Durnin-Goodman. I was particularly impressed by your very practical advice in treating those with substance abuse. Based upon your research, do you find that women are over-prescribed to? Is this an issue?
I read this and found it incredibly patronizing, to be frank with you, but by the same token, if there is a real phenomenon, I think we need to be turning our attention to it.