Nova Scotia government expands treatment for addicts of opioid painkillers
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia is expanding treatment for opioid addicts, as overdoses continue to take a steady toll of lives in the province.
The Liberal government outlined on Wednesday how it will spend $800,000 annually at a dozen treatment centres, with new locations in Antigonish, New Glasgow and on the province’s south shore.
The centres will offer methadone maintenance programs, exchange needles, provide antidote kits for overdoses, and make referrals to family doctors for ongoing treatment.
The province says the added money — announced in the recent budget — will mean services will be available to 250 more people, for a total of over 1,600 people annually.