The Government of Alberta on Wednesday recommited to its efforts in helping Albertans with a "recovery-oriented system of care" on International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). .The day — initiated in 2001 by Sally J. Finn at The Salvation Army in Melbourne, Australia — was set aside to help raise awareness and commemorate those who have been lost to drug overdoses..Alberta Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Mike Ellis said the day "is a reminder of those we've lost to addiction" and announced the province is dedicated to "building a recovery-oriented system of care to ensure that people with addiction have access to treatment and recovery resources that save lives." .“In Alberta, overdose deaths are down 44% in June compared to their peak in November, and down an additional 20% since May," said Ellis in a statement. ."We remain cautiously optimistic this trend will continue and we will carry on working tirelessly to reduce deaths even further.".Ellis highlighted the recent release of the Alberta government's new Digital Overdose Response System (DORS) app — "a tool that reduces harm specifically designed for people who use opioids and other drugs alone" — and said it will help summon emergency services if a person suspects they will overdose..“The majority of overdose deaths take place at home, often when someone is using alone," said Ellis, who encouraged all Albertans who use substances to download the free app at DORSapp.ca. .He also said free naloxone kits are available at more than 2,000 locations across the province. Several pharmacies, community sites and harm reduction agencies carry the free kits..“When someone begins their pursuit of recovery, we’re here to support them," said Ellis. ."From free publicly-funded detoxification and residential treatment spaces to the award-winning Virtual Opioid Dependency Program [VODP], help is available — no matter where you live or your personal circumstances.".VODP is a digital overdose response system available in Edmonton and Calgary that helps those who are drug addicted to access same-day medication starts, opioid treatment transition service, and ongoing opioid dependency care. .“Too many Albertans continue to lose their lives to addiction," said Ellis. ."On International Overdose Awareness Day, we renew our commitment to helping Albertans pursue recovery.".Those in Alberta struggling with addiction can call or text 211 to get connected to programs, services and supports for addiction recovery. Recovery Access Alberta is also a directory within the province to help Albertans source addiction treatment programs and services. .According to Alberta RCMP, more than 800 lives were lost in 2021 due to meth-related overdoses, a 28% increase in similar fatalities from 2020. .The RCMP, with the help of the Canadian Integrated Response to Organized Crime unit, announced Wednesday the launch of a methamphetamine awareness campaign. ."The campaign will help educate, protect and inform the public about negative impacts of methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs — as well as highlight the Alberta Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) Team and their role as a liaison with the chemical industry," said RCMP in a statement.."Methamphetamine is pervasive in our communities and has contributed to property crimes and crimes of violence."."Alberta's CLEAR Team provides specialized operational support in identifying, assessing, processing and dismantling illegal synthetic drug production labs, processing locations, dump sites, and butane hash oil labs." .Meth has been labelled as having "one of the highest threat levels" according to the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada. .Citing a 2017 Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug survey, the RCMP said 3.7% of Canadians used meth at least once in their lifetime. ."While methamphetamine use among the general population in Canada may be low, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction notes 'there has been a dramatic increase in the availability and harms associated with methamphetamine in Canada' since 2013 — with notable trends in Western regions," said RCMP.. Table 1: Alberta Substance Use Surveillance System .Source: https://www.alberta.ca/substance-use-surveillance-data.aspx. Table 2: Drug Analysis Services .Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-concerns/controlled-substances-precursor-chemicals/drug-analysis-service.html. Table 3: Alberta RCMP Methamphetamine Offences .Source: RCMP Police Reporting and Occurrence System.NDP Critic for Mental Health and Addictions Lori Sigurdson took the opportunity to slam the UCP. ."By denying evidence-based services, backed by science, the UCP have failed Albertans," she said in a statement.."We can encourage treatment and recovery while also preventing further deaths through well respected public health models. There is no reason the government should be contributing to suffering by refusing to expand life-saving treatment options and harm reduction pathways."."This does not have to be ideological, nor political — we must only act to best serve those who are in crisis.".Sigurdson affirmed Alberta's NDP have "proposed an Emergency Action Plan to save lives" which would include expansion of supervised consumption services, easy access to drug testing, and "safe and regulated alternatives to illegal and toxic street drugs." .The Australian public health organization Penington Institute has been organizing IOAD since 2012 and compiles a list of events from countries around the world each year on the IOAD website.
