Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
My thanks to all the witnesses who are here with us in the committee room and those on by video conference.
Mr. Chair, first I would allow myself to make a comment to my colleague across. The issue was raised in the Speech from the Throne and I don't think the fact that we're engaged in this study can be viewed by anybody, regardless of their political side, as a negative thing. We are trying to address a very important and serious issue that exists in this country.
I'll be very honest. We've had several meetings on prescription drug abuse, and I have to admit that I'm confused. I understand how complex it is; however, I don't think I understand how extensive it is, and what the full scope of it is. So far, everybody who has come, all the witnesses, have focused on opioids.
Dr. Ulan, thank you for bringing up the other medications that people misuse or abuse.
Opioids are not new on the market. Morphine has been around for 200 years. However, I would assume that the fact opioids are very readily available is part of the problem. There are also current treatments that opioids were previously not used for.
Dr. Ulan, you mentioned that on a per capita basis, Canada is one of the countries where opioids are used the most. Why is that? Do other countries have other forms of treatments? Do people have a different tolerance for pain in other countries? Why do we use the most?