'We need to step up our game': Liberal Leader says response to fentanyl crisis falls short

The Alberta government's latest measures to deal with the ongoing fentanyl crisis are not enough, says Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann.

Swann, a medical doctor,spoke to the Calgary Eyeopener Wednesday, a day after the province announcedgreater access to naloxone kits, andgrants to support agencies establishing supervised consumption sites.

The governmentsaid Tuesday 343 people died of apparent drug overdoses related tofentanyllast year, up from 257 in 2015.

• Calgary'sfentanylcrisis: A close look at the numbers

"We need to step up our game. We need to coordinate more effectively, and we need to put more resources into this critical issue that takes, now, one life a day in Alberta," Swannsaid.

While it's "nice" there's now greater access to naloxone, Swann said more helpis needed.

"It is in no way a substitute for access to comprehensive, coordinated services that people need to start to heal and start to come to grips with a very tough disease called addiction," he said.

Last fall,Swanncalled on the Alberta government to declare a publichealth state of emergency to tackle what he called afentanyladdiction epidemic.

He also held atown hall meeting last Octoberabout thefentanylcrisis.

On Wednesday, Swann estimatedless than 10 per cent of the people in the province with addictions are getting treatment.

"Clearly there's a big gap in access and focus for people with this disease," he said.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Calgary still Canada's fastest growing city despite downturn, census reveals
• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Stay bundled up: 2nd half of February will be 'even more brutal' in Calgary

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener