New bill targets pill, tablet presses

Tools often used to make fentanyl, other street drugs

Progressive Conservative MLA Mike Ellis on Wednesday introduced a private members bill to limit access to pill presses used to manufacture dangerous street drugs like fentanyl.

“Our province is going through an escalating public health crisis. Serious illicit drugs such as fentanyl or W-18 are growing in use and are having a devastating impact on our communities,” said Ellis, a former Calgary police officer.

Bill 205 would regulate the possession of pill or tablet presses used to manufacture the powerful opioids to pharmacies or other approved licence holders. It would also set out stiff penalties for breaching the act.

Ellis noted that 272 Albertans died of fentanyl overdoses in 2015.

The Alberta NDP government has been criticized by advocates who say the province needs to take a more proactive approach in dealing with the escalating crisis.

In February, the government increased access to naloxone kits, which acts as an overdose antidote.

Ellis said while that is a step in the right direction, it amounts to a “Band-Aid solution to a big wound.”

Earlier this month, the B.C. government declared a public health emergency in the wake of a spike in overdoses.

“It was unfortunate that our provincial government did not do the same,” Ellis said.

The Calgary MLA said he has consulted with both Health Minister Sarah Hoffman and Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley about his bill, which will come up for legislature debate in the coming weeks.

Alberta College of Pharmacists president Rick Hackman said in a statement the college supports the bill “and any complementary strategies that can assist in curbing the production and sale of illicit drugs.”