Alberta government will cover cost of Sublocade, the new drug that fights opioid addiction
The Alberta government is hoping to stem the rise in opioid-related responses and deaths with a new injectable drug called Sublocade.
The province will cover all the costs of the treatment, which sits inside someone’s body for 30 days, fighting the urge to use illicit drugs.
“This will increase treatment options for individuals with opioid addiction,” said Dr. Monty Ghosh, president of the addiction medicine section with the Alberta Medical Association.
“Addiction medicine physicians across Alberta will be grateful to have another tool to treat opioid addiction, especially for our various vulnerable clients who previously could not afford this life-saving medication.”
This program offers same-day treatment anywhere in the province with no wait-list to access evidence-based medications, including the newly approved Sublocade injection.
It can be administered at clinics or pharmacies.
“It means less sleepless nights for parents and loved ones who wait up at night for that dreaded phone call,” said associate minister of mental health and addictions, Mike Ellis.
“It means that our homeless and our vulnerable population don't need to worry about destabilizing as a result of not taking their medication and starting immediately.”
This announcement comes as Alberta Health Services (AHS) says it has seen a higher than average number of opioid-related calls in the province's two largest cities in recent weeks.
Between Nov. 29 and Dec 5., EMS responded to 85 opioid-related calls for help in Calgary. Over the last month, paramedics responded to between 44 and 58 calls per week.
Paramedic Stuart Brideaux and spokesperson for EMS says these calls are putting a strain on the system.
“These calls take a different approach, and again, they can be in circumstances or areas that can be less conducive to a safe or well at work environment, and they just add a level of stress,” said Brideaux.
In Edmonton, those numbers are much higher.
There were 140 opioid-related calls for EMS in the provincial capital between Nov. 29 and Dec. 5. Over the last month, paramedics in Edmonton have responded to anywhere from 57 to 112 opioid-related calls each week.
AHS says those who use illegal drugs should:
- Avoid using while alone;
- Ask someone to check on you, or use while on the phone with a trusted person;
- Use supervised consumption services (SCS) if possible;
- Always do a test dose to check the potency or strength of the drug;
- Know the signs and symptoms of poisoning/overdose and call 911 always for direction and support; and,
- Carry a naloxone kit and know to use it to respond to a suspected opioid poisoning.
The provincial government plans to unveil a 'new weapon' in the fight against opioid overdoses during a Wednesday announcement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.