Fentanyl deaths in Alberta are on the rise, and province officials are distributing emergency overdose kits in order to help fight the increase. Just 4 short years ago the number of Fentanyl deaths in Alberta was 6, today that number stands at more than 50. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, and it can be 100 times more powerful than morphine. When addicts and their loved ones have access to injectable antidotes this can mean the difference between life and death when an overdose occurs. Alberta Health is providing a one year grant of $300,000 in order to provide emergency overdose kits to addicts in the province. Each kit will have two vials of the anti opioid naloxene, and training will be provided for addicts and their family members on how the kits should be used if needed.

The emergency overdose kits being distributed to prevent Fentanyl deaths also include 2 syringes, gloves, alcohol swabs, and even a one way CPR mask. Instructions are also provided in each kit as well. To date there have been 100 kits ordered for the communities of Fort MacMurray and Grande Prairie. Addicts in the Fort MacMurray area can receive a kit from the HIV North Society which is distributing them. Executive Director Susan Belcourt-Rothe stated “We are not expecting a huge flood right away, but we’re expecting it will take place. What we have seen is there is significant drug usage in Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie. We see quite a high income and a transient population. Given this combination, we felt it was better to address the situation in the communities.”