The federal government will be kicking in funds to fight fentanyl in Alberta. $6 million of federal money is being put towards supporting the opioid strategy in this province, which is aimed at saving the lives of anyone at risk of overdosing on fentanyl or other opioids.
“The opioid crisis is complex and is affecting communities across this country in different ways,” says federal health minister Jane Philpott. “To get ahead of the crisis, we need to be collaborative and compassionate in finding solutions that work in each community. Today’s announcement is just part of our ongoing commitment to exhaust every possible avenue in addressing this crisis.”
While the allocation of funds is still being put together, the money is slated to go towards support strategies put together by Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services, and their community partners. Pressing areas include treatment beds, the take home naloxone program, as well as supervised consumption and methadone programs.
343 people passed away in Alberta of apparent drug overdoses related to fentanyl last year, a rise from 257 deaths in 2015. 111 of those deaths took place in the last three months of 2016.
Written by James Wood, 106.1 The Goat