Pubdate: Wed, 05 Jul 2017
Source: Tribune, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/letters
Website: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2807
Author: Lorna Thomas
Page: A4

GOAL OF DRUG EDUCATION MUST BE KEEPING PEOPLE ALIVE

With fentanyl killing young people all across North America, the
primary goal of the revised drug education in Alberta schools, and in
the home, should be harm reduction.

I am encouraged to see that school boards in Alberta are looking to
update their education around drugs. But educators and parents need to
urgently discuss more than marijuana. Fentanyl is being found in
almost all street drugs, with the exception of marijuana. The primary
goal of all drug education should be to keep students, and parents,
and educators alive.

Lesson No. 1 is that in Alberta people can access a free
opiod-reversal naloxone kit, without giving their name, or health-care
number, as mandated by Alberta Health Services.

Lorna Thomas

Edmonton
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MAP posted-by: Matt