Why it matters:
Opioid poisoning continues to claim lives across Alberta. Every second counts in an overdose — yet injectable naloxone can be intimidating and confusing for untrained users. Nasal naloxone is simple, needle-free, and can be administered in seconds. Its use has been widely adopted in other provinces and countries, with clear evidence that it increases timely intervention and survival rates.

Potential cost savings and benefits:

• 💰 Reduced healthcare costs: Fewer hospital admissions and complications (such as infections or delayed treatment) from missed or late doses.
• 🧠 Fewer training and replacement costs: Nasal naloxone requires minimal instruction, reducing the need for repeated training and replacement of used or expired kits.
• 🩸 Elimination of needle-related risks: No risk of accidental needle sticks, reducing occupational health costs and exposure for responders.
• 🚑 Improved public response: Nasal naloxone increases the likelihood of effective bystander intervention, reducing ambulance call-outs and intensive care admissions.
• ❤️ Lives saved: More accessible, easier-to-use naloxone means more timely reversals — and fewer preventable deaths.

We call on the Government of Alberta to:

1. Prioritize procurement and distribution of nasal naloxone for all Take-Home Naloxone programs.
2. Provide nasal naloxone to all first responders, community health programs, and public health units.
3. Phase out reliance on injectable kits in community overdose prevention efforts.

Making this shift is a practical, compassionate, and cost-effective step toward saving lives in Alberta’s ongoing opioid crisis.

Because saving lives should be simple.