EDMONTON — More than two dozen walk-in clinics across Alberta can now prescribe and supply a drug that temporarily reverses the effects of a fentanyl overdose.
Naloxone kits buy a user time to seek potentially life-saving medical treatment.
Alberta Health Services says it is distributing 4,000 take-home kits to 29 clinics and eight harm reduction sites in response to a rapid rise in fentanyl-related deaths.
There were 272 overdose deaths involving fentanyl in Alberta last year — up from 120 in 2014.
Fentanyl, an opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin or morphine, is a prescribed painkiller that is often added to illegal drugs.
The naloxone kits contain two vials of naloxone, syringes, alcohol swabs, latex gloves, a breathing mask and instructions.
"We are continually looking at ways to reduce the devastating impact this lethal drug is having in our province. Improving access to these naloxone kits is one element in our government's overall strategy in working with our partners to address the harmful impact of fentanyl," Health Minister Sarah Hoffman said in a release Tuesday.
