(Canadian Press)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

encouraging numbers but deaths still painful

Fewer opioid deaths in April, but other “proven interventions” remain asks

Jun 30, 2022 | 5:02 PM

Deaths caused by opioid overdoses in this province declined again in April, the province says.

There were 113, seven per cent lower than in March.

In Red Deer, there were three in April, according to the Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System. That’s down from seven in March, which represented an increase at a time the province was already seeing falling numbers.

“I want to thank the countless treatment professionals, outreach and harm reduction workers, EMS, police, corrections, doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to save people’s lives,” says Mike Ellis, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

“This is important work and we cannot do it alone. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of people with addiction. Between the pandemic and the opioid crisis, it has been a difficult few years. Yet through it all, you have been showing up, doing your best – and saving lives.”

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Ellis says society must remain vigilant in protecting our loved ones from addiction.

While Red Deer saw a month-to-month decline, it has officially recorded 22 opioid-related overdose deaths from January to April, up from 12 in the same time span last year.

“Proven interventions”

The same week the latest numbers were released, as was the Special Committee to Examine Safe Supply’s final report. It details eight recommendations, found under executive summary:

The committee was struck last December, notes the executive director of Each+Every, Euan Thomson, who took to Twitter with reaction:

“While I am deeply thankful that fewer Albertans have died this April than in months previous, we could have been seeing lives being saved in greater numbers long ago. There are proven healthcare interventions that save lives, but the UCP have actually reduced access to them,” says David Shepherd, the Opposition NDP’s health critic.

“So long as this UCP government avoids proven, clear medical evidence and practices supported by experts, Albertans who use substances will be at high risk of preventable death.”

Shepherd says the UCP have refused to deploy an effective, science-based response to this health crisis.

“Recovery from addiction is possible. It’s not an easy path, but the thousands of Albertans currently living in recovery will tell you that it is the right one,” adds Associate Minister Ellis.

“I encourage everyone who needs help to reach out. Call the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program to start treatment right away. Albertans can also contact 211 Alberta or visit recoveryaccessalberta.ca for information on resources and treatment options in their community.”

Holding manufacturers accountable

On Wednesday, the province responded to a settlement with Purdue Pharma, which aims to hold the manufacturers, distributors and marketers of opioids accountable for their role in the crisis.

“Following the announcement this morning in B.C., Alberta’s government recognizes the historic settlement reached with Purdue Pharma. As part of the settlement, Purdue Canada has agreed to provide $150 million to federal, provincial and territorial governments,” Ellis stated in support of the settlement.

“Today’s settlement is the largest for a government health claim in Canadian history. We are committed to ensuring that Alberta’s portion of the settlement will be re-invested into funding more mental health and addiction services.”

In 2019, Ellis noted, Alberta passed the Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act, which joined the province in a class-action lawsuit with other provinces and territories, as well as the federal government, to recover health care costs said to be caused by these companies.

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