Cities should not bear the financial burden of Naloxone says City Councillor
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PRINCE GEORGE – A city councillor in Prince George believes municipalities should not bear the financial burden of providing naloxone to Prince George Fire Rescue. While the B.C. government recently announced a $50 million investment to increase access to naloxone, one councillor argues that this funding falls short for those who depend on it the most.
Emergency responders in Prince George frequently administer naloxone as the opioid crisis continues to affect communities across B.C. Eric Depenau, the City of Prince George’s Director of Administrative Services, says that naloxone is an essential resource for various municipal departments. He notes that the expense is covered by the department’s medical supplies budget and represents only a small fraction of the overall costs.
However, Councillor Kyle Sampson contends that the province’s recent investment does not adequately address the financial challenges municipalities face. He points out that cities are paying for medication that pharmacies can provide at no charge, even though municipal crews often arrive first on the scene of overdose emergencies.
