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Accessibility to naloxone, training improves, but no increase in users

Apr 23, 2018 | 12:00 PM

Despite recent changes to promote better accessibility to naloxone, government officials haven’t noticed a change in the number of kits or training programs handed out.

Earlier this week, the changes to the Take Home Naloxone program permitted members of the public to take a free kit if he or she witnessed an overdose or knew someone at risk of overdosing. Businesses were also encouraged to get on board.

Since the changes however, there have not been any significant calls to obtain opioid overdose kits.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority says roughly 30 people have been trained in the area since the program began last year.

Brett Enns, Executive Director of Primary Care is encouraging more people come forward to take a kit.

“We’ve done quite a bit of work already in educating client families and significant others to be able to actually be able to administer those kits in the case of an event,” Enns said. “If we can get the message out beforehand and educate our public beforehand as a preventative measure that is going to go a long way.”

Enns said the changes to the program in Saskatchewan came after observing the opiod epidemic in other provinces. 

“Not that were 100 per cent ready for something like that. I think we at least have the first steps for a pretty good prevention plan and invest in this plan anyway and get people aware, look into things and having tools accessible,” he said.

He added a number of agencies inquired about training and kits.

The Take Home Naloxone Program is already running in 15 different communities across the province.

People can go to the government website to find a list of programs that offer free kits and training.

So far 600 kits have been handed out in 15 different communities including Prince Albert.

A total of 1,900 people took the training to save a life, though only a fraction of those reside in PA.

 

brandon.graziano@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @brandongraziano