Pubdate: Mon, 21 Nov 2016
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Kristy Kirkup
Page: A3

LEGAL CHANGES IN THE WORKS ON OPIOID CRISIS

OTTAWA - The federal government is eyeing a number of legislative
changes to address Canada's opioid crisis, Health Minister Jane
Philpott said Saturday at the conclusion of a summit examining the
issue.

The federal government is actively trying to turn the tide of the
crisis, Philpott added, noting it will require a whole-of-government
approach.

"This is a topic I have been working with alongside the minister for
public safety, the minister of justice and the minister of foreign
affairs," she said.

"In the coming months, there are a number of pieces of legislation
that are going to address matters related to the opioid crisis and
certainly we will do the work necessary."

Addiction, overdose and deaths related to opioid use were the focus of
discussions for health experts and ministers who gathered in Ottawa
for a two-day summit to look at a national approach.

On Saturday, B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake urged the federal
government to waste no time in taking additional action to address
Canada's opioid crisis, including setting up a nationally coordinated
surveillance system to track overdoses and other drug-related harm.

The province also wants the federal government to look at tools to
stop the flow of fentanyl from China by stepping up diplomatic
negotiations.

"They need to properly equip the Canadian Border Services Agency and
the RCMP with the tools and resources needed for border control and to
get fentanyl off the streets," Lake said in a Saturday statement.

British Columbia says 622 overdose deaths have happened in that
province since January - more than double the number of people who
died in car crashes last year.

The province has felt the brunt of the opioid crisis, Philpott
conceded Saturday, as she commended provincial officials for their
work to address the "serious and growing crisis" there.

B.C. is also urging the federal government to repeal Bill C-2 -
legislation passed by the previous Conservative government restricting
supervised drug consumption sites - to ensure the sites can be
established sooner.

The federal government has promised to amend the Respect for
Communities Act.

In the meantime, Philpott said, her officials are working to support
community members during the existing application process.

In a joint statement released Saturday at the conclusion of the
summit, Health Canada committed to issuing an update on its opioid
action plan by February. It includes a promise to better inform
Canadians of opioid risks.
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MAP posted-by: Matt