15 Jun Opioid Response Commission extends Term as Alberta Opioid Crisis Continues
As the Alberta opioid crisis continues, the opioid response commision has had its term extended for an additional 18 months.
The commission is a group of law enforcement, Indigenous community members, harm-reduction experts, parents and those affected by the opioid crisis themselves. The hope for the commission is to help Alberta respond to the addiction problem across the province including in Calgary.
Since the formation of the commission, the province has opened thousands of new treatment centres in Alberta, established supervised consumption services and supported the Alberta opioid crisis with awareness programs.
The most recent opioid surveillance report shows that the work of the commission needs to continue if there’s any hope of the Alberta opioid crisis fading away.
158 people have died from apparent fentanyl poisoning in the first three months of 2018. In the last quarter of 2017, 183 people died from overdoses. While that is a decrease, it’s still an increase from the same time last year, when 119 people died.
The Calgary Zone continues to have the highest rate per 100,000 person-years at 18.1, compared to the Alberta average of 14.6 per 100,000 person-years.
The Government of Alberta has committed $63 million in the 2018 budget for actions to address the opioid crisis. That’s an increase of $7 million over last year.
With the commision, it’s important to know that Andy Bhatti, professional drug and alcohol interventionist knows first hand that Alberta’s opioid crisis is continuing to grow and without the right help, more people will die from their addiction in Calgary.
In addition to the great work that the Alberta Opioid Crisis commission is doing, treatment centers in Alberta and interventions in Alberta need to be spoken about more openly as a solution.
“I provide interventions in Alberta because the demand is increasing. With the fentanyl and the opioid and cocaine crisis in Alberta, it makes it the second worst province in Canada for drug addiction,” Andy Bhatti explains.
Drug and alcohol interventions work when a person cannot stop their addiction by themselves or when they need a substance or stimulant to get through the day. It’s the final straw when a person is ready for a change in their lives. They can’t continue with their addiction and finally make the right move and reach out for drug or alcohol treatment in Calgary or across the whole province.
When that decision is made, they should call Andy Bhatti Intervention and Addictions Services.
Andy Bhatti has been working in the fields of addiction and interventions for many years. Andy Bhatti provides interventions in Calgary, Vancouver, and across Canada. He also offers treatment plans, 24-hour recovery support supervision and sober coaching.
Once on the phone with Andy Bhatti, a consultation can happen and if possible, an intervention will be the ultimate next stepping stone. Andy will create a customized treatment and intervention plan, with the addict getting help possibly from an Alberta health services addictions treatment centre.
Andy Bhatti works closely with drug and alcohol treatment centres all across Canada to find the right treatment program. This means just because someone is struggling with an addiction in Alberta, doesn’t mean they need to endure the long wait times for Alberta treatment centres, but instead can receive help elsewhere in Canada. It’s whatever is best for the addict.
Andy believes it’s never too late to live a clean and sober life, just like the Alberta Opioid Crisis Commission does. With the support of all those who care, addicts can see and welcome the idea of living a clean and sober life.
Andy Bhatti is looking forward to seeing what the Alberta opioid crisis commission will achieve and would like to remind anyone that if they’re ready, an intervention is the best possible way to receive addiction help and begin living the life no one thought was possible. Contact Andy Bhatti today if you or someone you know is struggling with an opioid addiction in Alberta.