Skip to Main content

9.37°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jul 13, 2022 2:06 PM - THE CANADIAN PRESS

Feds announce program to fight opioid poisoning in Edmonton

Share On

The federal government will spend more than $1 million to fight opioid poisoning in Edmonton.

Carolyn Bennett, minister of mental health and addictions and Edmonton MP and Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault have announced funding for an outreach program to provide overdose response training and trauma support at a community level.

The program, based at the city's Royal Alexandra Hospital, will also direct at-risk people to resources on treatment and recovery.

In a release, the government says the program will support those disproportionately affected by substance use.

``This tragic loss of life is taking a heavy toll on friends, families, and communities in Alberta and across the country,''

Bennett said in a release. ``Today's investment will help people who use substances in Edmonton receive the culturally safe and trauma informed health services and supports they need.''

Last year, 1,618 people died due to opioid overdose-related deaths in Alberta, the deadliest year on record. In 2020, drug poisoning killed 456 Edmontonians.

Latest news

Witness intervenes in Vancouver purse-snatching, suspect charged

A 41-year-old man has been charged after an alleged purse-snatching in Vancouver that left a 59-year-old woman with minor injuries, according to a police release. The incident occurred Wednesday shortly before 4 p.m. near West 8th Avenue and Spruce Street. Police say the woman, who was using a walker, was approached by a man who allegedly grabbed her purse, causing her to fall to the ground. A passing driver witnessed the incident, stopped, and pursued the suspect on foot. During the chase, the suspect allegedly threatened the witness with a knife before dropping the purse and fleeing the area

Two men charged after alleged kidnapping in East Vancouver home invasion

Two men are facing kidnapping charges following a reported home invasion in East Vancouver বুধবার night, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police say a 911 call was received at approximately 9:15 p.m. reporting that a 62-year-old man had been taken from his home and forced into a vehicle. According to a VPD statement, the suspect vehicle was located about 30 minutes later near Slocan Street and East Broadway. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it did not pull over, prompting a police pursuit that ended near East 14th Avenue and Woodland Drive, where officers bo

driver-identified-after-truck-strikes-highway-1-overpass-in-langley-police-seek-witnesses

Driver identified after truck strikes Highway 1 overpass in Langley; police seek witnesses

The driver of a commercial truck that struck a railway overpass on Highway 1 in Langley has come forward and is cooperating with investigators, according to BC Highway Patrol. Police say the collision occurred March 19 at about 2:52 p.m., when an eastbound white flatdeck truck carrying a crane boom hit the CP Rail overpass between Glover Road and 232 Street. The driver initially left the scene without speaking to officers but later contacted police. “The truck driver did not wait for police at the scene, which is the ideal, but subsequently reached out to police and is cooperating,” said C

richmond-rcmp-probe-suspected-organized-retail-meat-thefts-after-39-reported-cases

Richmond RCMP probe suspected organized retail meat thefts after 39 reported cases

Police in Richmond, British Columbia, say they are investigating a series of meat thefts from retail stores that may be linked to organized criminal activity. According to a statement from the Richmond RCMP, officers have received 39 reports of meat being stolen from stores across the city since December. While some incidents may be opportunistic, police say the frequency and value of the thefts suggest “potential organized activity,” where stolen products could be resold. RCMP are warning the public not to purchase meat from unverified sources. Police say improperly handled or temperature

surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-near-bear-creek-park

Surrey police investigate early morning shooting near Bear Creek Park

Surrey Police Service says officers are investigating a reported shooting near Bear Creek Park that left one man in hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, officers were called at about 6:00 a.m. to reports of shots fired in the area of the 13700 block of 88 Avenue. Police searched the park and nearby residential streets following the call. Police said hospital staff contacted officers at 6:30 a.m. to report that a man had arrived at emergency with a gunshot wound. The injury is not believed to be life-threatening, according to the releas

Related News

Alberta bill would limit medically assisted dying eligibility to those near natural death

Alberta bill would limit medically assisted dying eligibility to those near natural death

Alberta’s government has introduced legislation that would significantly narrow who qualifies for medical assistance in dying, or MAID, limiting access to those expected to die of natural causes within a year. According to the provincial bill tabled by Justice Minister Mickey Amery, eligibility would be restricted to patients whose deaths are considered reasonably foreseeable within 12 months. The proposal mirrors the narrower criteria in place when Canada first legalized MAID in 2016. Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government is positioning the change as a return to ea

Alberta premier confirms Saudi government covered private flight during 2024 trip

Alberta premier confirms Saudi government covered private flight during 2024 trip

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she travelled on a private aircraft arranged by the Saudi government during an official trip to the Middle East last fall, adding that the travel was approved in advance by the province’s ethics commissioner. Smith confirmed the arrangement Tuesday during a legislative committee meeting while responding to questions tied to Alberta’s 2026 budget. The premier said the non-commercial flight was proposed by Saudi officials to allow for more efficient travel between engagements. According to Smith, the trip included meetings in Saudi Arabia and the United Ar

Woman, 27, killed in wrong-way crash on Anthony Henday Drive in Edmonton

Woman, 27, killed in wrong-way crash on Anthony Henday Drive in Edmonton

A 27-year-old woman is dead after a head-on collision on Anthony Henday Drive in Edmonton early Saturday, according to police. The Edmonton Police Service says the woman was driving west in an eastbound lane of the expressway when her vehicle collided with another vehicle. Police said the crash occurred on Anthony Henday Drive, one of the city’s major ring-road routes. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not released her name. The 37-year-old man driving the other vehicle was taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Police have not said what led

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital