(Victoria) British Columbia now offers universal coverage for opioid agonist treatment, which helps people with substance use disorders.
The province thus becomes the first in Canada to make this decision.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a statement that comprehensive drug coverage will be available to all B.C. residents with an active medical services plan.
The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions says the policy went into effect on June 6 and extends full coverage to about 1,638 people who had paid out of pocket, out of a total of 34,520 who had received the treatments in Colombia. British last year.
Opioid agonist treatment involves the use of drugs such as methadone, and the ministry says it is separate from safer supply, in which pharmaceutical alternatives to illicit drugs are prescribed.
Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, says removing financial barriers to opioid treatment will help people “stabilize their lives, prevent deaths and continue on their journey to wellness”.
The move comes as BC health officials rail against federal Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre and others over the province’s safe supply program and drug policies.
“The toxic drug crisis continues to claim lives at an unprecedented rate. When people ask for help, we want them to receive support no matter the size of their wallet,” said Ms.me Whiteside.
More than 12,000 people have died from illicit drugs since the BC government declared a public health emergency in April 2016.