The Saskatchewan Health Authority is providing community-based organizations (CBOs) throughout Saskatchewan with safer drug-inhalation supplies.

They're aiming at cutting down possible illnesses that can be transferred by unsafe drug use.

A Saskatchewan Health Authority release stated that the harm reduction initiative would help to stay the progress of harmful diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C.

Cited in the release was Dr. Peter Butt, who said that the safe inhalation of drugs was healthier than alternatives.

"Adding safer inhalation equipment to Saskatchewan’s harm reduction programming is a progressive step forward that will reduce the risk of HIV and Hepatitis C transmission. Injection drug use is more dangerous. Safer inhalation equipment will give clients an alternative to injecting."

The products are being distributed through community-based organizations and Saskatchewan's provincially-funded harm-reduction sites.

Executive Director of AIDS Saskatoon Jason Mercedi said that this was addressing addiction issues in the province.

"Making safer inhalation supplies available through Saskatchewan’s harm reduction sites and eventually CBOs is an important step in addressing the harms associated with crystal meth use and other drugs. We are excited that [CBOs] will play a role in this important collective effort to meaningfully address addictions issues across Saskatchewan."

A statistic in the release stated that the province spends over $46 million per year on addictions services.

Saskatchewan Health Authority says that the inhalation supplies will be made available through the next few months in its 29 harm-reduction programs throughout the province, as well as CBOs.