By Catherine Hansen

TYH: Countering Overdoses With Naloxone

Nov 7, 2017 | 7:12 PM

A small first aid kit is hoped to make big changes when it comes to saving lives. On today’s To Your Health, Catherine Hansen has more on the Northern Health initiative to distribute kits that counter opioid overdoses.

(Catherine Hansen:) At first glance, it looks like a regular first aid kit. But a closer look shows this kit contains naloxone.

(Reanne Sanford – Northern Health:) “So naloxone is an antidote to opioid. So, basically it’s a really safe medication that we use to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose.”

(Hansen:) When injected into a muscle it can reverse the effects of an overdose, but naloxone is only one component of this first aid kit, as opioids target the respiratory system. There are also instructions on how to provide breathing support, and Northern Health helps with a small training session on how to best respond.

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(Sanford:) “It is a standard and best practice that when we’re giving a kit to somebody, that they understand how to use it, and more importantly they know what an overdose looks like. So when they come across someone in the community, they’re aware of how to recognize the symptoms and how to respond appropriately.”

(Hansen:) The effects of naloxone will take place between one to three minutes, but can wear off depending on how severe the overdose is, so it is important to get further medical help.

(Sanford:) “The other folks that we’re training and really focusing on are the people at risk for overdose. So, part of my training is to train staff in communities to then go forth and train people with lived experience that are at risk for overdose. So, that includes people who currently use any illicit substances, and also any of their supports. So, family, friends, loved ones, boyfriends, girlfriends are also able to get these kits for free to respond.”

(Hansen:) According to the Coroner’s Service, through BC there were 113 suspected drug overdose deaths in August 2017 alone. It’s hoped these small and portable kits can reduce those numbers in the future. To your health, Catherine Hansen, CKPG News.