Fentanyl antidote should be more accessible: PADIS

The medical director of Alberta's Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS) says more communities need access to an antidote for fentanyl as the dangerous street drug becomes more prevalent.

The synthetic opioid painkiller — 100 times more potent than morphine — was a factor in 29 deaths in Calgary last year, officials say.

• Fentanyl a growing, deadly street-drug problem, officials warn

Naloxone counteracts the effects of opioids by restoring breathing and heart rate.

Dr. Mark Yarema says ambulances already carry naloxone and officials are now considering making it more widely stocked by other professionals who interact with drug users.

Adam Melnyk, a co-ordinator with the Downtown Outreach Addiction Partnership, says having the antidote in their hands would save lives.

"It's essential, like, it should be happening as soon as possible, getting it to front-line service providers that are interacting with this population," Melnyk said.