Addressing prescribed drug dependence

Strategy to Address Prescribed Drug Dependence, Withdrawal, and Harm

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) advocate to the Ministry of Health to develop and fund a national and provincial strategy addressing prescribed drug dependence, withdrawal, and harm that optimizes prescribing practices by: considering safer non-drug alternatives, reviewing long term use of psychotropic drugs, requiring a high standard for informed consent, ensuring adequate education and training of health-care professionals; and ensuring education on prescribed drug dependence, withdrawal and associated harm in nursing and nurse practitioner school curriculums.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that RNAO advocate for inclusion of education on prescribed drug dependance, withdrawal, and associated harm in nursing and nurse practitioner school curriculum.
 

Author:
Joanna McCabe, RN
Conflict of interest:

No known conflict of interest

Year carried:
2026
Last updated:
July 13, 2026