The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan improve access to treatment for people with substance use disorders
OTTAWA, Nov. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - The opioid crisis continues to devastate individuals, families and communities across the country. Without increased access to effective, evidence-based treatment options, people with substance use disorder will continue to be at risk for overdose.
Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Jim Reiter, Saskatchewan's Minister of Health, signed a bilateral agreement under the Government of Canada'sEmergency Treatment Fund.
This agreement provides more than $5 million in funding from the Government of Canada to support initiatives that will:
Recruit and train more health care professionals qualified to provide opioid-substitution therapy. (including nurse practitioners and physicians) and other non-prescribing professionals (such as counsellors, social workers and allied professionals);
Train health care providers to adjust treatment and care plans based on client needs and root causes of problematic substance use (for example, the impact of trauma on the lives of people with substance use disorders);
Increase access to treatment for people with opioid or crystal meth dependency by working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and community-based organizations to expand the use of remote services (such as telehealth) where services are not locally available and support case managers to connect clients to the health and social services they need; and
Train providers in therapeutic approaches and evidence-based treatment options for patients who use crystal meth (for example, behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing and trauma informed practices).
This matches $7.4 million the Province of Saskatchewan has already invested in expanding access to opioid substitution therapy. While preventing overdoses remains vital, helping people with problematic substance use to access treatment will ultimately help them live healthier lives.
Quotes
"Opioid-related overdoses continue to claim the lives of thousands of Canadians, having a devastating impact across Canada. In addition, Saskatchewan has rising rates of problematic methamphetamine use. This bilateral agreement will facilitate and increase access to essential treatment services in the province to help people with problematic substance use. We must continue to work in a comprehensive and collaborative way to address substance use disorder and to help Canadians access treatment and supports."
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor Minister of Health
"We believe that even one opioid related death is too many. Our government has been taking action on this issue by supporting harm reduction, opioid substitution therapy, and expanding take home naloxone programs across the province. We will continue to assess the location and type of services in our province to ensure they are comprehensive and minimize the risks associated with drug use. The Emergency Treatment Fund will allow us to build on the good work already happening in Saskatchewan."
The Honourable Jim Reiter Minister of Health in Saskatchewan
Quick Facts
Budget 2018 committed more than $230 million over five years to address the opioid crisis. This funding includes $150 million for a cost-shared Emergency Treatment Fund. Related investments made by provinces and territories since January 2016 can count towards the matching of federal funds.
The Government of Saskatchewan allocated more than $7.4 million over three years (2016?17 to 2018?19) to address the overdose crisis; to enhance treatment services, recruit and train prescribers, providing training and outreach, and expand access to opioid substitution therapy.
Like any well-operating machine, the human body needs downtime in order to rest and recharge. For many, resting seems indulgent or nonproductive; but without rest, our bodies run the risk of shutting down....
? Koning Health, a leader in innovative medical imaging technology, is proud to announce the first installation of its groundbreaking Koning Vera Breast CT system in the New York City metropolitan area at Community Radiology NY on Canal Street. This...
Bringing together small business, provincial law enforcement agencies, Crime Stoppers, and government officials, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. (RBH) hosted the first ever Atlantic Forum on Contraband Tobacco....
University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) announces the new Detroit Mercy Eye Institute, located at 41555 West 12 Mile Road in Novi, Mich., which opens to patients on April 30, 2024.
University of Detroit Mercy opens new eye care center at the Novi, Mich.,...
Medline, a market-leading manufacturer and supplier of medical supplies and solutions, is pleased to announce that it is now a direct distributor for Epredia, a member of PHC Group. Epredia is a global leader in the anatomical pathology field,...