Manitoba's Health Minister says a number of actions have already been implemented this week following the opioid summit in Ottawa last weekend. Kelvin Goertzen says too many people are dying from overdoses so it's important that both the federal and provincial governments move quickly. He says RCMP have reached an agreement with China to help stop the flow of illegal fentanyl. And, Goertzen outlines actions taken this week by the province.

Kelvin Goertzen"We have talked specifically about increasing the accessibility of naloxone which helps to reverse the results of an overdose. We also need to have greater education and awareness. There are way too many individuals who are dying from taking a drug that has been mixed with fentanyl or carfentanyl and they know it. So we want to have greater education on that and there needs to be more specific training for individuals who are dealing with an addiction and opiates."

Goertzen says there have been at least two dozen deaths in the province this year from opioid overdoses including nine from fentanyl. He adds this is not something that affects only the users of illicit drugs.

"There are those individuals who have been prescribed opiates and often can't get off of the opiates or are taking too much and it results in an overdose. But there's also the illicit side. So there is the prescription side, and I think we will be looking at that end of it to make sure it is being prescribed for legitimate needs, but then there is the illegal and illicit side of it and there needs to be action to prevent the fentanyl and carfentanyl coming in from places like China."

Goertzen adds, because this matter involves addiction, it will require help on many levels.

"This still is a very complex issue that is as much about the heart as it is about a physical addiction. People turn to drugs for a lot of different reasons and it's hard to legislate those reasons away. It takes the community, it takes individuals, it takes neighbours helping neighbours and friends helping friends to make a positive difference."