Do you know someone struggling with opioid substance abuse?
One of the ways we can help end the opioid crisis is by supporting safe consumption services in Alberta. When there is a lack of safe consumption sites, harm reduction services, and mental health resources, the situation in Alberta only worsens (EHN Canada, n.d.). We must support these causes and organizations to decrease the harm that is being done.
What can I do?
There are safe consumption services in Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, and Lethbridge. Support Safe Consumption Services like the Sheldon Chumir.
We can help end the stigma by voting for politicians who support safe consumption sites and mental health services. Most drug overdoses occur in the user’s home (EHN Canada, n.d.). When the conversation surrounding drug addiction is riddled with shame, Albertans will not seek help, and will instead suffer silently (EHN Canada, n.d.).
Your donation matters. Donate to addiction recovery services like Families for Addiction Recovery Canada.
Education is power
Take care of yourself and learn how to dispose of unused medications safely. If you are prescribed opioids for pain relief, The Mayo Clinic has resources and information on “how opioid addiction occurs.”
Save a loved one’s life by learning what the “signs and symptoms of addiction” are.
The Government of Alberta posts quarterly opioid surveillance “reports.”
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone is a drug that can be administered during an opioid overdose to block or reverse the effects of an overdose.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has made naloxone kits available in many pharmacies across Canada since 2016 (cadth, 2020).
Using this map here, Albertans can access hundreds of pharmacies across the province that provide naloxone kits.
Are you experiencing distress or an emergency?
The Addiction Helpline is available 24/7, and if you are experiencing difficult circumstances from using opioids or are concerned about someone you know is suffering, call 1-866-332-23222 for assistance. Call 911 immediately if you believe someone is experiencing an overdose.
Opioids In Alberta
This collective team project is practicing digital rhetoric for a communications class at the University of Calgary.
EST. 2022
Opioids In Alberta 