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Addiction fight worthwhile

The Alberta government has announced that it will be joining B.C. in a proposed class action lawsuit aimed at recovering some of the costs associated with opioid additions faced by residents.

The Alberta government has announced that it will be joining B.C. in a proposed class action lawsuit aimed at recovering some of the costs associated with opioid additions faced by residents.

Whether the move will lead to positive changes, and in particular a reduction in the number of opioid-related deaths, remains to be seen. What is known is that more needs to be done to address what has become a large community-wide problem impacting far too many individuals and families across this province.

The proposed class action suit will be brought against opioid manufacturers and distributors in an effort to recover health-care, pharmaceutical and treatment costs, officials said.

“Responding to opioid overdoses has taken a tremendous toll on our families and communities, as well as adding to the demands of our health system,” said Tyler Shandro, Alberta’s minister of Health.

“Our government will do our part to hold to account those who bear some responsibility for the wave of opioid addition and overdose deaths we’re seeing.”

Jason Luan, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Additions, added: “Alberta have paid a high price for the irresponsible actions of opioid manufactures and distributors. While we cannot bring back those we have lost, we can recover some of the enormous financial costs Albertans have paid and continue to pay.”

This class action suit may end with the province receiving money to offset the costs associated with opioid addition. Of course, as with all court actions, it will take time, and maybe a long time, for the matter to be resolved.

In the meantime, the province must continue working with stakeholders to help those individuals and families currently dealing with additions.

Along those lines, the province has announced it is committing $140 million to improving mental health and addition care in the province, including $40 million for opioid response.

Drug addition is a serious drain on the financial and social fabric of Alberta, including in this region. Hopefully these latest efforts will lead to improvements.

- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor 

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