Firefighters to play key role in offering addiction treatment

A first in Canada, firefighters in Edmonton are joining the fight against opioid overdose by supporting immediate access to addiction treatment and supporting families.

Albertans in Edmonton struggling with opioid addiction can now visit their local fire station and immediately connect with the newly expanded Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP) to start treatment. The VODP will then conduct an intake assessment and work with the individual to determine the most appropriate medication treatment. This includes gold standard opioid treatment medications like Suboxone and the recently announced Sublocade injection.

Families of substance users can also attend their local fire hall to receive information about family support and be connected with Parents Empowering Parents (PEP) Society. PEP Society is a provincial resource for families struggling with a loved one’s substance use.

This initiative was made possible because Alberta’s government is providing $1.4 million annually to expand and create a low-barrier/harm reduction division of the VODP. This division will do rapid assessment and treatment initiations for those struggling with addiction and opioid use, and will also provide enhanced case management for clients in the community. Total provincial funding for the VODP is now $6.4 million annually.

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