Pubdate: Sun, 31 Jul 2016
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Page: 16
Copyright: 2016 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Mike Ellis
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.

CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION NEEDED TO HALT MARCH OF OPIOID DRUGS

In 2011, there were six. Only five years later, and there are 274.

That's the number of lives lost to the deadly drug fentanyl last year 
in Alberta. With an increase of nearly 46 times the amount of deaths, 
we are seeing a public health crisis impact every community in our province.

Alberta is leading the nation in the fight against opioid drugs. The 
Progressive Conservatives were strong advocates for additional 
funding for the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) that 
cracks down on illicit drugs flooding our communities. I also 
received unanimous support for Bill 205, the Pharmacy and Drug 
Amendment Act, 2016. This bill regulates the ownership of pill 
presses used to create fentanyl tablets.

An industrial pill press can produce up to 18,000 pills per hour. By 
ensuring only those authorized own these devices, we can keep these 
drugs off the streets. While we have made progress, there is still a 
long way to go. A nation-wide crisis requires a nation-wide solution. 
I have met with the provincial governments in Saskatchewan and B.C., 
and will continue to meet with legislators across the country, 
including the federal government.

As the Drug Enforcement Agency controls pill presses in the United 
States, we are seeing drug cartels set up shop in provinces without 
legislation to control opioid drugs. Provincial governments and the 
federal government must work together to ensure every jurisdiction in 
Canada regulates the ownership of pill presses so we can limit 
fentanyl abuse and save lives immediately.

MIKE ELLIS, MLA FOR CALGARY WEST

- -----------------------------------------------------------------

(Something needs to be done to stem this crisis.)
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom