Opioids

• Alberta opioid data shows drop in deaths, overdoses—but some are dying more than others

  While overdose rates have dropped amongst the middle-class, especially casual recreational users, the drug supply has become more dangerous for long-term addicts and the homeless.

  Health

  Feb 7
  
• New pain pill approved in U.S. designed to cut risk of addiction

  U.S. officials approved a new type of pain pill designed to eliminate the risks of addiction and overdose associated with opioid medications like Vicodin and OxyContin.

  Health

  Jan 31
  
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• Class-action lawsuit targeting opioid manufacturers certified by B.C. Supreme Court

  B.C. can now proceed as a representative plaintiff on behalf of other Canadian governments with the litigation aimed at recovering the costs of treating opioid-related diseases.

  Health

  Jan 22
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• Ontario does not have ‘effective processes’ to handle opioid crisis, AG finds

  Ontario's auditor general was critical of the province's opioid addiction strategy, suggesting it was uncoordinated and didn't have proper processes in place.

  Politics

  Dec 3, 2024
• Vet medication known on the street as ‘tranq’ leads to more overdose deaths in Yukon

  Yukon government officials said a key concern is the increasing presence of xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer that has been detected in significant quantities in the deaths.

  Health

  Oct 12, 2024
• Alberta records lowest single-month opioid death total in 4 years

  Provincial data shows Alberta recently had its lowest monthly opioid death total since April 2020. According to its report, 90 people died from opioid-related causes this April.

  Health

  Jul 19, 2024
• B.C. premier says ‘zero’ chance of no-prescription opioids

  Premier David Eby says there's a "zero per cent chance" B.C. will implement recommendations by the provincial health officer for no-prescription "safer supply."

  Health

  Jul 12, 2024
• Drug alert issued for Waterloo Region for 3rd time in 6 weeks

  The Overdose Monitoring Alert and Response System (OMARS) says that it is believed that the four deaths, which occurred between June 28 and July 4, were drug related.

  Canada

  Jul 6, 2024
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• New vending machine offering drug pipes, naloxone kits, third of its kind in Ontario

  The Our Healthbox machine in Brantford, Ont. offers a wide range of harm reduction supplies such as condoms, naloxone kits, pipes and HIV testing kits.

  Health

  Jun 21, 2024
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• After 5 deaths in 5 days, drug alert issued for Waterloo Region

  The Overdose Monitoring Alert and Response System issued the alert after there were five suspected overdose deaths over the past five days.

  Canada

  Jun 18, 2024