HALIFAX — Nova Scotia is expanding treatment for opioid addicts, as overdoses continue to take a steady toll of lives in the province. The centres will offer methadone maintenance programs, exchange needles, provide antidote kits for overdoses, and make referrals to family doctors for ongoing treatment. So far this year, 39 people have died from overdoses, with 11 more probable deaths in Nova Scotia — figures similar to last year’s death rate, said Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer. Specialists say getting addicts into contact with treatment systems quickly is a key part of bringing those numbers down. An increase in the capacity of our opioid use disorder treatment programs will save lives,” said Dr. Sam Hickcox, a family physician who also is an addictions specialist, who attended the news conference at the Nova Scotia Hospital.

Source: National Post November 08, 2017 13:52 UTC