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