Pubdate: Mon, 28 Mar 2016
Source: Metro (Calgary, CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Calgary
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4471
Author: Jeremy Simes
Page: 4

STUDENTS SEEM TO BE RELUCTANT TO ACQUIRE FREE NALOXONE KITS

University makes antidote to lethal opioid freely available

Dirk Chisholm hopes he never has to give a shot of naloxone to an
overdosing student on campus, but he's readily equipped if need be.

Chisholm, who's part of an EMT certified group of University of
Calgary students that assist in on campus medical calls, said the
group has recently been given naloxone to combat on campus overdoses.
Naloxone is an antidote that can reverse fentanyl overdoses.

"I think it's quite important we have the kits," he said. "It's not an
issue unique to campus by any means - it seems to be quite an
epidemic, so if something were to occur we're quite equipped to handle
that."

In fact, the kits were made available to the U of C in February, but
no students have acquired one.

Debbie Bruckner, senior director of access and support with student
wellness, said it's been difficult to encourage at-risk students to
come forward and get a kit.

"There's some stigma and reluctance, despite the fact that it's
confidential," she said.

It's still important, though, for the campus to have naloxone
available, she added.

"The demographic - young adults - are the age group that is most at
risk for using party drugs," she said.

Like the U of C, Mount Royal University security staff also received
about a dozen kits, in case overdosing events occur.

So far, MRU security hasn't administered naloxone, but MRU's Francesca
Simon said she hopes at-risk students seek out a kit due to fentanyl's
deadly effect.

"I hope there's no need for students to get a naloxone kit, but that
perhaps doesn't fall in line with what we're hearing in the news,"
said Simon, who's the mental health nurse coordinator with the
Wellness Centre.

More than 270 Albertans died from fentanyl overdoses last year - more
than double the 2014 death toll. Of that number, 81 Calgarians died.

Simon said MRU nursing staff at the Wellness Centre will soon be
trained to offer kits so they're available on campus.

The naloxone kits will be available at no charge for addicts at high
risk of opioid overdose, if they're registered with an Alberta
health-care insurance plan and have a valid personal health number.
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MAP posted-by: Matt