Latest in addiction help, already working in Maple Ridge

published on March 8, 2018 by Phil Melnychuk in Maple Ridge News

B.C. practices of prescribing suboxone spreading across Canada

The fight against opioid addiction and overdoses in places such as Maple Ridge is being copied Canadawide.

Doctors who deal with the issue came up with a set of national guidelines that call for prescribing suboxone, a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, as the go-to tactic for those struggling with opioid addiction.

And if suboxone doesn’t work, methadone is suggested.

And if neither works – daily, slow-release oral doses of morphine are recommended.

Fraser Health is already following that approach in Maple Ridge and across Metro Vancouver. The same guidelines were implemented across B.C. last June.

“Fraser Health already has opioid … treatment clinics across the region and more are slated to open this year,” the agency said.

Three Maple Ridge clinics, two on a fee-for-service basis, as well as Alouette Addictions Services, already offer such help.

“It’s a very effective way to support people with opioid replacements and we’re seeing great success with it,” said Annika Polegato, executive-director with Alouette Addictions.

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