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
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man books $7,700 luxury villa on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he was charged more than $7,700 to book a luxury villa on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.