The federal government will spend more than $1 million to fight opioid poisoning in Edmonton.
Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, and Edmonton MP and Tourism Minister Randy Boissonault, have announced funding for an outreach program to provide overdose response training and trauma support at the community level.
Read more: Federal government has no plan on safe drug supply to reduce overdose, lawmaker says
The programme, based at the city’s Royal Alexandra Hospital, will also direct those at risk to resources on treatment and recovery.
In a release, the government says the program will support those affected by substance abuse.
“This tragic loss of life is taking a toll on friends, families and communities in Alberta and across the country,” Bennett said in a release.
“Today’s investment will help substance use people in Edmonton find culturally safe and trauma-related health services and support they need.”
Read more: Alberta’s opioid-related overdoses still at record highs compared to pre-pandemic
Last year, the deadliest year on record, 1,618 people died due to opioid overdose-related deaths in Alberta. In 2020, drug poisoning killed 456 Edmontonians.
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