Edmonton considering drug-checking program to reduce poisoning deaths
A harm-reduction strategy that sees illegal street drugs tested for deadly substances before being used is under consideration in Edmonton.
Government-approved drug checking is already happening in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto and other Canadian cities.
A report on how an Edmonton program could work went before the city's community and public services committee on Monday.
So far in 2022, 295 people have died from drug poisonings in the Alberta capital. That's 50 more deaths than in the same period last year.
“Most of the drug-poisoning deaths that we’re aware of has been that there has been a deadly substance laced with another substance,” explained Zanette Frost with the City of Edmonton.
“We’re currently exploring our options. It may be something that community agencies may be able to implement.”
Eight programs are operated in Canadian cities, according to the report, the majority led by community groups. Mobile, fixed-site, event-site and mail-in services are among the options being considered in Edmonton.
A previous city report suggested that the Edmonton Police Service participate in the program, but at least one city councillor thinks that's a bad idea.
“I think there’s a trust factor, a fear factor,” said committee member Jo-Anne Wright from Ward Sspomitapi. “I think it’s got to be more of a grassroots organization.”
“Nobody who uses drugs will take their drugs to someone in uniform to have them checked,” agreed Petra Schulz from Moms Stop The Harm. “We have to get the police to stand down when it comes to matters of health.”
City officials said no decision has been made on the involvement of EPS, and the service said it has no plans to operate a drug-screening service.
Councillor Keren Tang wants the city to do more research on a drug-checking program, but noted: “It is not the be all, end all, that would reverse a lot of the overdoses.”
City administrators now will consult current and former drug users, as well as experts, on how to proceed with the next report due early next year.
Any drug checking program in the city would need to be approved by Health Canada. The report did not say what a drug-checking program could cost taxpayers.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Joe Scarpelli
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion, 1 person seriously injured: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.