Virtual opioid support

The Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP) provides access to opioid addiction care using technology to help opioid-dependent individuals in all areas of Alberta.

Assessment and treatment services are provided virtually in conjunction with a pharmacist in the community for OAT medication dispensing.

The VODP team consists of physicians, nurses, addiction counselors, mental health therapists, social workers, recreational therapist, peer support, and professional support staff.

VODP programs:

• Same day start service: Anyone using street-sourced opioids is started on OAT treatment the same-day that they contact the program.
• Ongoing care team: Provides virtual addiction counselling and mental health counselling, psycho-educational groups, peer support, parenting supports, medication monitoring, regular physician follow-up, and supports people’s transitions back to their family physician or local opioid dependency program.
• Transitional treatment service: Provides support to corrections, ERs, inpatient medical units, supervised consumption services, medical detoxification sites, residential treatment programs, and any other location where people need opioid care as they transition between treatment settings.
• Low barrier, urgent access team: Works alongside VODP’s existing teams to facilitate rapid assessment and treatment, using virtual tools, to provide treatment in police detention units, supervised consumption sites, and shelters with urgent starts and continual monitoring of harder-to-reach individuals.