BR Fentanyl Heroin – CP

Source: The Canadian Press – Broadcast wire
Apr 25, 2017

VANCOUVER – A drug policy activist in B-C says Health Canada’s proposal to loosen regulations on importing prescription heroin to treat opioid addiction is a crucial step to reducing fentanyl deaths.

Caitlin Shane of Vancouver’s Pivot Legal Society says there were 931 overdose deaths last year in British Columbia alone.

She suggests that if any other health issue claimed as many lives as opioid overdoses, there would be a faster response.

She says the stigma surrounding drug use has prevented increased access to medication for a legitimate health issue.

Canada approved prescription heroin treatment in September 2016 for substance users who did not respond to other therapies such as methadone and suboxone.

Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott says the government is determined to work with its partners to help reduce the harm to citizens and communities from drug use.

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(The Canadian Press)

INDEX: PHARMA HEALTH NATIONAL POLITICS