Advertisement

Alberta government, Opposition clash on ethics of safe drug consumption sites

Click to play video: 'Safe consumption sites approved in Alberta'
Safe consumption sites approved in Alberta
Health Canada signed off on a number of safe consumption sites in Alberta, including four in Edmonton. As Tom Vernon explains, it's hoped they help keep those with addictions alive – Oct 18, 2017

Alberta’s governing NDP and the official Opposition are clashing on the ethics of supervised drug consumption sites set up to help fight the growing number of deaths from opioids such as fentanyl.

United Conservative Leader Jason Kenney said in a social media post Friday that creating supervised sites to use drugs does not get to the root of the crisis and is ethically questionable.

“We absolutely need to show compassion for those suffering with addiction, and we need to help them get off drugs. But helping addicts inject poison into their bodies is not a long-term solution to the problem,” said Kenney.

“We need to crack down on the criminals that are bringing poison into our communities, and we need to invest in actual treatment programs to get addicts off drugs — not spend money to help them consume drugs.”

Story continues below advertisement

Earlier this week, Kenney told the Lethbridge Herald he would oppose more sites if he were to become premier.

READ MORE: Alberta declares opioid public health crisis, announces $30M increase and new panel to address deaths 

Alberta is setting up supervised consumption sites as one way to combat the rising overdoses and deaths due to opioids. The sites are safe and hygienic, and addicts are monitored by trained staff to keep them from overdosing.

Health Canada has approved multiple sites across the province. A clinic in Calgary and one in Lethbridge are now open and three sites in Edmonton are to open in the coming weeks.

READ MORE: Health Canada approves safe injection sites in Edmonton, Lethbridge

Needs assessments are being done in other communities, including Edson, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat and Red Deer.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

WATCH: New training, education for Alberta doctors in fight against opioid crisis.

Click to play video: 'Alberta Health Services hopes to open safe injection site in Calgary'
Alberta Health Services hopes to open safe injection site in Calgary

Lethbridge has been a crisis spot. In recent weeks, there have been more than 50 overdoses there from what police are calling a dangerous batch of street opioids.

Story continues below advertisement

Associate Health Minister Brandy Payne said in Calgary that the question of consumption sites is not cut and dried.

The ultimate goal is to help people beat their addictions, but in the meantime addicts still struggle with drug use and could make poor — and potentially fatal — choices as they recover, she said.

Alberta has acted on multiple fronts to address the precipitous rise in fentanyl deaths in recent years.

Click to play video: 'New training, education for Alberta doctors in fight against opioid crisis'
New training, education for Alberta doctors in fight against opioid crisis

There were six deaths in 2011, but since then the totals have risen sharply each year. There were 358 deaths in 2016 and 562 in 2017.

READ MORE: Opioid-related deaths continue to soar in Alberta; up 40% over last year 

“It’s heartbreaking every time to hear how many Albertans we have lost and to see those numbers continuing to climb,” said Payne.

Story continues below advertisement

“We need to keep pouring in the resources that we have to keep fighting this problem, and make sure we are addressing all of the angles.”

Also Friday, Payne announced a $9.5-million program over three years to help family physicians directly support patients and get them the help they need to deal with opioid addiction.

The province has also funded more treatment facilities and beds and broadened the availability and use of naloxone, an injectable drug that can block the effects of an opioid overdose.

Click to play video: 'Red Deer looks at adding safe consumption site'
Red Deer looks at adding safe consumption site

Fentanyl is a synthetic narcotic used to relieve pain, but the drug is being illicitly manufactured and mixed to create a potentially lethal drug. Three to four grains of fentanyl can kill the average adult.

Alberta is also dealing with cases of carfentanil, which is 100 times more powerful than fentanyl and is used medically to sedate large animals such as elephants. One grain of carfentanil can kill an adult.

Story continues below advertisement

New figures reveal carfentanil deaths soared to 159 last year from 30 in 2016.

Sponsored content

AdChoices