Pubdate: Wed, 19 Aug 2015
Source: Saanich News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Saanich News
Contact:  http://www.saanichnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1209

DRUG'S ANTIDOTE MUST BE MORE READILY AVAILABLE

The latest rash of overdose deaths sweeping across the country is
showing us, once again, that no community is immune to the terrible
costs of drug abuse. And once again, it is clearly evident that people
have less problems obtaining their drug of choice than receiving help
with their addictions.

The drug fentanyl has been responsible for hundreds of deaths across
the country, with Vancouver police responding to 16 apparent fentanyl
overdoses in one day alone earlier this month. And Victoria Police
Insp. Scott McGregor says the drug is probably as prevalent here as it
is anywhere else.

In Victoria, the B.C. coroners office has recorded seven deaths linked
to fentanyl since January 2012.

Ironically, changes made to the drug OxyContin intended to prevent
abuse of the opioid likely led to the rise in the use of fentanyl,
which is 20 times more potent. The drug is often passed off as
OxyContin or mixed with other street drugs such as heroin.

Narcan, an effective antidote to fentanyl overdose, has been supplied
to hospitals for decades. It can restore normal breathing and
consciousness within three to five minutes of an injection. The
problem is that if an overdose occurs in a bathroom or back alley
rather than a hospital ER, that help may come too late.

In B.C., users can also obtain a take-home kit to have that antidote
available when they need it. The kits are available by prescription in
dozens of sites around the province including at least two in
Victoria. But those kits are only effective if they are readily
available, and the prescription-only status is keeping them out of the
hands of many users not ready to bring their addiction into the open
along with their family members.

Health Canada has agreed to review whether Narcan should be made
available without a prescription, although the process could take up
to 18 months. But that will be too late for hundreds whose lives might
hang in the balance.
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MAP posted-by: Matt