Canada’s opioid crisis was the topic of a summit held in Ottawa which featured ministers from all the provinces.
The country has seen a rise in deaths related to opioids, specifically fentanyl, and the provinces got together to discuss drug addiction and overdose.
“It is beyond capacity for any one jurisdiction to cope with it,” said Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, who was in Regina Friday. “We all have to put our shoulder to the wheel.”
Goodale said there are many different dimensions to fighting the fentanyl problem including ensuring antidotes are readily available, making sure all police forces have the correct resources to help deal with the problem, and help ensure the drug doesn’t make it into Canada at the border.
“Inevitably, if it is left unchecked, it will just march in a devastating way across the country. It needs to be stopped as fast as possible.”
Goodale also said first responders should have access to antidotes so they can not only treat the victims, but any of their own that may come in contact with the opioids.