The Alberta Alliance Who Educate and Advocate Responsibly (AAWEAR) is bringing a first of its kind illicit-drug testing and education program to Calgary.

Thanks to $600,000 in funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the support of the local business community, the group will be providing mobile testing that they say will save lives.

According to the Government of Alberta, from January to December 2021, a total of 1,610 people died across the province due to due poisoning deaths from opioids. That’s 446 more than in 2020, and 985 more than in 2019. In Calgary, 499 people died of opioid drug poisoning in 2021.

“Testing is just another tool in the tool belt to help prevent unnecessary deaths from the toxic illicit drug supply that’s currently in Alberta,” said Kathleen Larose, executive director for AAWEAR.

“Having a service like this will at least allow folks to know, and build autonomy within folks to know what it is that they’re potentially going to be taking,” she said.

Calgary drug pilot

The program will be piloted in Calgary. It will consist of a mobile drug testing van, a permanent drug testing office, and wrap around supports and services like Naloxone and basic needs supplies distribution, and referrals for trauma-informed care.

“While people are waiting for their drugs to be checked, we can continue to have those engaging conversations with folks and supporting them wherever they’re at,” said Larose.

The pilot program is expected to begin in June, with services beginning in the fall. Funding has been provided for 18 months. They said that their program would be modelled after existing projects in other parts of the country. It will be led by people with lived experience of drug use.

AAWEAR is aiming to provide services seven days a week, for 16 hours a day, from 7 am to 11 pm.