Alberta government aiming to strengthen addiction treatment for youth and young adults
Alberta’s government says it will expand opioid addiction supports to youth and young adults to support recovery and prevent overdose deaths.
As part of Alberta’s recovery-oriented system of care, the province has announced it is investing $4.5 million over three years to expand the award-winning Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP) to deliver more comprehensive support to youth and young adults in their pursuit of recovery.
VODP is described as an innovative program that provides treatment on demand for people struggling with opioid addiction. Through this program, any Albertan in any corner of the province can receive same-day access to opioid addiction treatment medication with no fees and no waitlist.
“Too many young Albertans continue to lose their lives to opioids. With this new funding, we’re helping more youth access evidence-based, compassionate care through the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program. These treatments are not only life-changing – they’re life-saving,” says Nicholas Milliken, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.