A new weapon in the fight against opioid overdose

Alberta’s government is the first in Canada to fully cover the cost of the injectable opioid treatment drug Sublocade. The treatment lasts in a person’s system for 30 days, providing stabilization, reduced craving and significantly enhanced protection against overdose.

Alberta is also the fist province in Canada to achieve “treatment on demand” through its award-winning Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP). This program offers same-day treatment anywhere in the province with no wait-list to access evidence-based medications, including the newly approved Sublocade injection.

In addition to covering the cost of Sublocade, Alberta’s government is providing $1.4 million to further expand and create a low-barrier division of the VODP. This division will do rapid assessment and treatment initiations for those struggling with addiction and opioid use and will provide enhanced case management for clients. Total funding for the VODP from Alberta’s government is now $6.4 million annually.

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