(Photo: The Canadian Press)

By Josh Hall

$4 MILLION OVER FOUR YEARS

Alberta commits more funding to Virtual Opioid Dependency Program

Jun 23, 2020 | 10:10 AM

The province is giving $4 million over four years to expand access to the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP), it announced on Monday.

The program is run by Alberta Health Services and uses telehealth technology to provide Albertans access to treatment for opioid use disorder. Clients also receive access to addictions counselling and other transitional services.

In a release, the province says the Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) Gap Coverage program will cover the costs of medications to treat opioid use disorder for Albertans who are waiting to receive coverage through a supplementary health benefit plan. The program will cover costs for up to 120 days, during which an Albertan can apply for and receive supplementary health benefits.

“We’re creating pathways for recovery across the continuum of care for Albertans,” says Jason Luan, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “The Virtual Opioid Dependency and OAT Gap Coverage programs are important tools to help people across the province get the treatment they need to recover and live healthy, successful lives.”

A reported 40 per cent of VODP clients over the past year have reported an overdose upon entering the program. After a year involved, fewer than 10 per cent reported an overdose.

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It has served more than 2,000 clients to date, including 1,300 in the past year.

The OAT Gap Coverage Program is funded through the Government of Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund. Program funding this year is estimated to be about $2 million.

It has seen 1,100 enrolments since launching April 1.

More information on the VODP is available by calling 1-844-383-7688.