Alberta steps up surveillance in new measures to tackle opioid drug crisis
But critic says province's response too narrowly focused on fentanyl
The Alberta government is announcing new measures it has put in place in response to the opioid crisis.
It follows the latest information released by Alberta Health Services that shows 153 people in Alberta died from apparent fentanyl-related overdoses in the first half of this year.
Now the office of the Chief Medical Examiner is gathering additional data in every death where opioids are believed to have been a factor.
A statement from Justice Minister and Solicitor General Kathleen Ganley describes the previous data collection as "inadequate" and explains the medical examiner is working closely with the Chief Medical Officer of Health to gather as much data as possible.
It's a move that's being described as long overdue by critics who have been calling for it for some time.
The additional data comes from the fact that, starting in July 2016, the OCME now lists the drugs that caused a person's death on their death certificate. The department of Justice and Solicitor General said this will allow for the OCME to better collect and review information which, in turn, will allow the OCME to provide comprehensive data regarding opiod death to the Alberta Health.
Fentanyl-related overdose deaths have increased sharply in Alberta in recent years — from six in 2011 to 274 in 2015.
"The evolution of this crisis has been going on for four years. We're way behind in catching up with this and we now have new drugs, new opiates more potent yet," said Liberal Leader David Swann, a medical doctor.
It was an information request by Swann that led to Ganley's response including an offer to him to work together on the issue.
Swann said there has been a lack of leadership on the issue. He said it is now clearly a crisis, and believes a public health emergency should be declared
"What's needed is a higher level of priority," he said. "A public health emergency would require all departments related to this issue to work together to mobilize resources," he said.
Brandy Payne, Alberta's associate minister of health, said she agrees the government needs as much information as possible on the circumstances around deaths caused by fentanyl and other opioids. But declaring a public health emergency wouldn't help, she said.
"The declaration of a public health emergency would not give us any additional surveillance tools that we are not already using," Payne said in a statement to CBC News.
But addictions and public health specialist Dr. Hakique Virani disagrees with that analysis and agrees with Swann it's a move that should happen.
Virani said the province's response to the crisis has been too narrowly focused on fentanyl.
He expects the new data being gathered will show prescription opioids are also dangerous.
"Prescription opioids continue to be a problem that's manifested in non-fatal and fatal overdoses. I mean, we know this from our emergency colleagues," said Virani, adding he believes morphine, hydromorphone and oxycodone are prevalent on the street.
Virani said gathering additional data into drug deaths is a good step in coming up with a more complete public health response, including better access to medication-assisted treatment for people with opioid addictions.
Information released by Alberta Health Services on Oct. 4 showed naloxone kits which are an antidote to fentanyl have saved 408 Albertans from dying of overdoses.
Where the deaths are happening
Here is a breakdown of fentanyl deaths in Alberta in the first six months of 2016, as reported by Alberta Health Services:
City of Calgary: 61
City of Edmonton: 43
Grande Prairie: 9
Red Deer: 9
Fort McMurray: 5
Lethbridge and Medicine Hat: 5
Other locations: 21 deaths (municipalities with fewer than 4 deaths are not listed due to privacy concerns)