Pubdate: Fri, 23 Jan 2015
Source: London Free Press (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 The London Free Press
Contact: http://www.lfpress.com/letters
Website: http://www.lfpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/243
Author: Jennifer O'Brien
Page: A3

IN THE NICK OF TIME

Since Health Agencies Began Giving Kits That Reverse Overdoses to 
Drug Users, They've Been Used Successfully Three Times. Jennifer 
O'brien Reports.

Three lives saved. Saved, not by doctors, paramedics or police, but 
by peers - other drug users - of addicts suffering life-threatening 
overdoses. Three is a small number, but one that gives hope and 
momentum to organizers of a new program that aims to equip drug users 
with medication called Naloxone that can reverse a life-threatening overdose.

Since city agencies started distributing Naloxone injection kits last 
summer, 49 drug users have received prescriptions along with training 
for the medication that works like an Epi-Pen for drug users and can 
save their lives.

The overdose-reversal drug has been administered four times. Once it 
was too late. But it worked three times, said Sonja Burke, director 
of counterpoint harm reduction services for Regional HIV/AIDS 
Connection, one of three city agencies that provide prescriptions, 
training and support. In each case "the person was in overdose, which 
means they would have died," she said.

Drug injection rates are high in London. Last year the province 
released stats showing 41 people in London and Middlesex died of 
prescription opioid drug overdoses in 2012 - more than double the 
provincial rate. "Now we have three (overdoses) reversed in six 
months. Anything we can do to reduce that number is what we hope for. 
Give us two years," Burke said. Naloxone can reverse the effects of 
opioids within 10 minutes of being injected. Before the summer, only 
paramedics and hospital workers were authorized to administer it in London.

But last October, the province made it available to all communities 
at no cost. Since then, London agencies that work with substance 
users have been planning how to roll it out in London as early as 
April. Naloxone can only be prescribed to drug users - including 
anyone who has a prescription for opioids. "Part of the prescription 
is how to explain to your friends and family," Burke said. The 
concept behind empowering peers stems from the general reluctance of 
drug users to call 911 when someone is having an overdose.

But the training for Naloxone includes coaching on the importance of 
doing just that. Naloxone wears off eventually, and depending on the 
amount of drugs in the user's system, the overdose could return.

Burke said the people who have been trained to use Naloxone will make 
the biggest difference. "They will have more impact on the community 
than we ever could in terms of the value and the way they spread 
information. Those are our 49 ambassadors," she said of the users who 
have kits in London.

[sidebar]

NALOXONE

Goes to receptors in central nervous system that receive opioids and 
pushes them away. Takes effect within four minutes and lasts about 45 minutes.

HOW IT'S WORKING SO FAR

City agencies begin distributing Naloxone injection kits last summer. 
They're used to reverse life-threatening overdoses.

Peer injections since launch: 49

Overdoses reversed: 3

Injection unsuccessful: 1

WHO'S INVOLVED

Middlesex-London Health Unit Regional HIV/AIDS Connection London 
Intercommunity Health Centre

WHAT ARE OPIODS?

Central nervous system depressants that include oxycodone, Fentanyl, 
codeine, morphine and heroin. They act to slow down your system, 
including breathing. If you've had too much, your breathing stops.

WHO USES OPIOIDS

"That can be anyone. It can be you, it can be me," said Sonja Burke, 
director of counterpoint harm reduction services for Regional 
HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC),

WHAT DO POLICE SAY?

Because the drug use is illegal, people often are afraid to call 911 
to report a friend or peer overdosing. But London police say when 
they're responding to medical calls with paramedics they don't search 
the area for drugs or other illegal activity.

"The main priority is the safety of the individual. When we're called 
for medical distress we're there to assist (paramedics). We're not 
there to conduct a criminal investigation, so providing drugs aren't 
in plain view there's no concern," Const. Ken Steeves said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom