An increase in the number of opioid related deaths in Canada in 2017, has prompted the federal and provincial governments to take action.
Federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor and New Brunswick Health Minister Benoit Bourque have signed a bilateral agreement for a new Emergency Treatment Fund.
$4.3 million will be contributed by the Feds, and 2.8 million from the province of New Brunswick.
Funds will be used to help increase programs like quality treatment services, including withdrawal management, and opioid replacement therapy.
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam says almost 4000 people died of apparent opioid related deaths last year. That’s a 34 per cent increase over 2016.
