By Canadian Press

Alberta announces funding for Naloxone kits, detox beds to treat opioid crisis

Jun 9, 2021 | 2:31 PM

EDMONTON – Alberta’s government has announced plans to improve access to overdose reversal kits and to create medical detox beds as opioid-related calls spike in the province.

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jason Luan says the government is providing $1.5 million for nasally-administered Naloxone kits as a part of a one-year pilot program in Edmonton.

Luan says officials will also evaluate the impact and benefits of distributing take-home Naloxone kits.

He also announced that the province will open 35 detox beds over the next three years.

That will cost an additional $2.1 million.

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Luan says the funding is a part of the province’s effort to transition into a recovery-oriented system to treat its opioid crisis.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2021.

The Canadian Press