Ottawa extends 1-year lifeline to London’s safer opioid supply program [Video]

The future of Canada’s first and longest-running safer opioid supply program is safe, at least for another year, after funding for the program was extended by the federal government.

Dr. Andrea Sereda, the physician who has led the London, Ont., program since its inception in 2016, said the news brings relief to her and the 278 people currently being helped by the initiative, aimed at preventing overdose deaths through the prescription of safe, pharmaceutical-grade drugs to opioid users.

However, a lack of capacity and resources and clinical providers willing to do the work is keeping the program from helping more of the thousands of Londoners who inject drugs, she said.

London’s safe opioid supply program has received news they’ll be getting another year of funding from the federal government. ‘Prescribed Alternatives’ is the program put on by the InterCommunity Health Centre and Dr. Andrea Sereda is one of the physicians …