HALIFAX – Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says her department will make a greater effort to combat prescription drug addiction epidemic in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley.
“The sudden death of a loved one because of substance abuse is tragic,” MacDonald said Friday.
“This is a significant issue and it is clear that we need to do more for people at risk.”
Her announcement comes after a report by Medical Health Officer Richard Gould highlighted the number of people dying from opiate use and dependency.
The sudden deaths of two people in the Valley have been linked to prescription drug addictions so far this year and there have been 18 others since 2005.
MacDonald wants the Health Department to find space for an additional methadone treatment space in the Annapolis Valley and conduct a public education campaign about to warn young people about the dangers of taking prescription drugs for fun.
Gould says, in his report, the problem is not limited to the Annapolis Valley and the government should be just as concerned about prescription drug abuse in all parts of the province.
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