Government of Canada Announces $6 million in Emergency Funding to Combat Opioid Crisis in Alberta

Builds on $75 million in federal funding previously announced to address this crisis

OTTAWA, ON and ALBERTA, March 10, 2017 /CNW/ - 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

• In total, the Government of Canada has announced $81 million in funding to address the ongoing crisis. In addition to today's announced emergency funding for Alberta, $10 million in emergency funding has been provided to British Columbia, and $65 million over five years has been announced for federal initiatives.
• The $65 million over five years will be used to support the federal government's ongoing implementation of the Opioid Action Plan and the new Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy announced in December 2016, which reinstates harm reduction as a core pillar of Canada's drug policy. This funding could be used to: enhance regulatory activities to manage the risks of opioids and reduce access to unnecessary opioids; increase national lab testing capacity; develop and implement a national public awareness campaign; increase research on problematic substance use; expand supports for First Nations and Inuit communities, such as access to naloxone kits; strengthen national data surveillance and monitoring; and fund grants and contributions to address various issues that are unique to the opioid crisis.

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
Backgrounder - The New Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy 
Opioid Action Plan
Joint Statement of Action to Address the Opioid Crisis

SOURCE Health Canada

For further information: 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