By Stephanie Villella

Opioid crisis sparks debate in Alberta

Mar 7, 2017 | 3:28 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — There is a deadly opioid crisis in Alberta with the number of drug related deaths increasing every year.

Alberta’s four opposition governments delcared and were granted an emergency debate Monday to discuss how the province is going to deal with the crisis.

With the number of opioid related deaths skyrocketing over the last four years, claiming 343 deaths in 2016, the opposition parties want to declare a state of emergency.

But the NDP said declaring an emergency is not necessary.

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“There is nothing that the health emerency gets us that we don’t already have access to,” said Brandy Payne, Associate Minister of Health.

Payne said naloxone safety kits have been distributed to doctors and the federal government issued $65 million to deal with the issue.

Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Drew Barnes said the province needs more than just money. “Information sharing, that raising of awareness” is what will be the most beneficial he said.  If Albertans are aware of the dangers of the drug, perhaps less people will take advantage of them.

Local family doctor, Bill Ruzycki agreed with the opposition parties, saying declaring an emergency is the right thing to do.

“Fentynal and the latest drug carfentanil, which is even more dangerous is out there,” he said. “We don’t want any of our people to die needlessly.”

 According to Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer, nine fentynal deaths were reported in Medicine Hat from 2014 to 2016.

Ruzycki said opioids are highly addictive painkillers that are usually prescribed by doctors for valid reasons.  But sometimes, patients become too dependant on them.

“Patients, they don’t have the experience dealing with the medication,” he said. “So they sometimes want complete relief from pain, that’s where the misuse can start.” 

He said the province needs to find a way to combat this issue.  Barnes agreed saying an emergency might be the only way to resolve this crisis.

“It’s a problem for Alberta and it is not a problem to be taken lightly.”