'Little has been written about the infrastructure in Canada’s health care system to support Canadians struggling with chronic pain. There’s a good reason for that, according to Maria Hudspith, executive director of Pain BC.

“There is no health care infrastructure for people with chronic pain,” she said.

'David Reid’s body has taken a few blows over its 68 years. In 1992, he was in a bad car accident that left him with a severe concussion. This affected his balance and led to a couple falls down stairs. Last July, Reid had a knee replacement. He has problems with the muscles in his neck and upper back. Degenerative discs in his spine often cause pain.

'Since the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC) announced changes to the opioid prescribing standards on June 1, 2016, health care providers and people living with pain have raised concerns about how the new policy may have a damaging impact on the treatment of chronic pain in this province. 

'Early on an August morning in 1986, after a night without sleep, 16-year-old Keith Meldrum slid low on his seat and dozed off. He was alone, behind the wheel of a Plymouth Duster. The big, steel car missed a corner on the rural highway and rolled end over end. After the car came to a stop, Meldrum stumbled out and collapsed near the Duster’s rear bumper.

'Perry Kendall is correct when he says that "we are going to have to think more broadly" about our response to the overdose epidemic (B.C. Health Officer Calls For Greater Focus On Opioid Crisis, Feb. 1).

'How the Canadian province of British Columbia is approaching the treatment of chronic pain might be worth watching.

'Over to you, Addictions Minster: that is the response of Health Minister Adrian Dix to a call by an advocacy group for more provincial government help for people suffering from chronic pain.

It’s an unintended consequence of the overdose crisis: B.C. doctors prescribing fewer opioids to reduce addiction.