From Health Canada
March 10, 2017 Ottawa, ON – Alberta Government of Canada
Builds on $75 million in federal funding previously announced to address this crisis
The current overdose crisis is having a devastating impact in many communities and has been spreading across the country. Today, the Government of Canada announced an additional $6 million in urgent support to the Province of Alberta to assist with its response to the growing effects of the significant crisis in that province.
Canada’s opioid crisis is multifaceted. First, the overdose crisis has been driven by the emergence of fentanyl and other powerful illicit opioid drugs, which has led to unprecedented number of deaths among users of illegal drugs. And second, high levels of addiction to legal opioids across Canada have been caused, in part, by inappropriate prescribing practices and poor education about the risks associated with opioids. The government’s Opioid Action Plan, including the new resources announced today, addresses both of these aspects of the crisis.
The Government of Canada has already taken numerous steps to address the opioid crisis, including $75 million in previously announced funding to address this crisis. Other examples of actions include making naloxone readily available, overturning the ban on the use of prescription heroin to treat the most severe cases of addiction, and introducing Bill C-37 to simplify and streamline the application process for supervised consumption sites, clamp down on illegal pill presses and extend the authority of border officers to inspect suspicious small packages coming in from offshore.
The Government of Canada remains committed to a comprehensive, collaborative, compassionate and evidence-based approach to addressing this crisis and the underlying causes of problematic substance use over the long term.
Quick Facts
Quotes
“The opioid crisis is complex, and is affecting communities across this country in different ways. 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.”
The Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Health
“Every day we are seeing the impact of the opioid epidemic on families and communities. We will continue to work together with all our partners to stop the illegal drug flow and battle against the misuse of these drugs. We support the province of Alberta in its efforts to fight this dreadful scourge”
The Honourable Ralph Goodale
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
“With the growing toll the opioid crisis is taking on Alberta communities, our government is focussed on taking every action we can to save lives. This support from the federal government is crucial in supporting our work to expand treatment to more Albertans affected by substance use. I wish to thank Minister Philpott for her continued partnership in addressing the impact of fentanyl and other opioids in Alberta.”
Sarah Hoffman
Alberta Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
Associated Links
Contacts
Andrew MacKendrick
Office of Jane Philpott
Minister of Health
613-957-0200
Timothy Wilson
Alberta Health
587-983-7127
Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
Public Inquiries:
613-957-2991
1-866 225-0709
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