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By Shane Clausing

government funding sublocade

Government funding for Sublocade big step for Northreach Society in slowing opioid crisis

Dec 9, 2021 | 6:00 AM

On December 8, the Alberta government announced it will be funding a new tool that could be used to help battle the opioid crisis in the province.

The provincial government announced it will become the first province in Canada to fully cover the cost of the injectable opioid treatment drug Sublocade.

Linsday Loset with Northreach Society says this is very good news for the Grande Prairie community.

“Sublocade is another opioid agonist therapy. Similar to Suboxone or Methadone, however, Suboxone or Methadone is taken daily and it’s an oral treatment, so you have to swallow the treatment,” Loset explained.

“Sublocade is an injectable form of Suboxone, and it is a long-lasting dose of the medication. People only need an injection once a month as opposed to taking it every day.”

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The goal of the drug is to help provide stabilization, reduce cravings and significantly give the user enhanced protection against an overdose.

Loset adds it also has the potential to make those who suffer from opioid addictions feel more normal while taking the treatment.

“People aren’t tied to a pharmacy or have to take the medication every day. It can give them a bit more freedom and normalcy when going through the treatment,” Loset said.

The only way to get the drug is if it is prescribed by a physician. The only way to get the treatment prescribed is if you are known to have an opioid dependency problem.

“You could go through the Alberta Virtual Opioid Independence program or the Opioid Agonist Therapy program at the Northern Addictions Centre. It would have to be prescribed and administered by a medical professional.”

“You also have to do seven days of Suboxone prior to being administered Sublocade. The way Suboxone works is you have to be in withdrawal. You have to be dope sick a little bit before you can use it because otherwise, it doesn’t have the proper effect on the body that you need. So, you need to stabilize your dose for seven days of Suboxone. Once you are on a stable dose, then you can be prescribed the Sublocade.”

Loset tells EverythingGP, a lot of the staff at the Northreach Society are excited by this announcement because it will become a more accessible option for those struggling with addictions.

In addition to covering the cost of Sublocade, the provincial government also announced on Wednesday it will be providing $1.4 million to further expand and create a low-barrier division of the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program.

The 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.