Pubdate: Tue, 09 Aug 2016
Source: Penticton Herald (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.pentictonherald.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/664
Page: A5

Special to The Herald

OVERDOSE PREVENTION PROGRAM EXPANDS

As part of Interior Health's overdose emergency response, the Take
Home Naloxone program has expanded to 70 sites which includes: all
Interior Health emergency departments, public health centres, mental
health and substance use offices as well as several community agencies.

"Drug-related overdoses and deaths are a huge concern," said Health
Minister Terry Lake. "Interior Health's expansion of the Take Home
Naloxone program could potentially save the life of someone's friend,
parent or child. It is part of B.C.'s comprehensive approach to
address this crisis and to do everything we can prevent future tragedies."

In emergency departments, the program is offered to patients who are
being treated for an opioid overdose. At public health centres, mental
health and substance use offices, and community agencies the program
is available to anyone at risk of overdose from opioid drugs. Opioid
drugs include both prescription and illicit drugs such as oxycodone,
morphine, heroin, fentanyl and others.

This expansion increases access to the lifesaving medication,
naloxone. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose by restoring
breathing within two to five minutes. It improves the chances of
survival while waiting for medical help to arrive.

Naloxone is a safe medication that cannot be abused and has no effect
on the body in the absence of opioids. It is non-addictive, does not
produce a high and has no street value.

In addition to making naloxone kits more accessible, the Take Home
Naloxone program also provides training on how to prevent, recognize
and respond to an overdose situation.

"The program not only gives those at risk free naloxone kits, it also
provides an opportunity to offer information on how to prevent an
overdose from occurring in the first place by educating clients about
factors that can increase the risk of overdose," said Dr. Silvina
Mema, Medical Health Officer. "For example, one of the things we tell
people is that if they haven't used a drug for a while their tolerance
or response to that drug can change and that puts them at greater risk
of an overdose."

The training also offers practical overdose prevention tips such as
always starting with a small amount of the drug, avoid mixing
different drugs, and avoid using alone. Crucial life-saving steps
including recognizing the signs of an overdose, putting someone in the
recovery position, how to perform rescue breathing, and administer
naloxone as well as the importance of getting emergency medical help
as soon as possible are also covered.

The Take Home Naloxone program is provided in collaboration with the
B.C. Centre for Disease Control. Approximately 1670 naloxone kits have
been distributed across Interior Health since the program first began
in August 2012. Reports indicate at least 180 kits have been used to
reverse an overdose.

The Take Home Naloxone program is specifically for those at risk of an
opioid overdose. A list of Take Home Naloxone sites is available on
the Interior Health website. Friends, family members and others who
wish to carry naloxone are encouraged to purchase a kit from local
pharmacies - a prescription for naloxone is no longer required.

All of the initiatives support the work of the newly formed Joint Task
Force on Overdose Response. Headed by Provincial Health Officer Dr.
Perry Kendall and Director of Police Services Clayton Pecknold, the
task force will provide expert leadership and advice to the Province
on additional actions to prevent and respond to overdoses in British
Columbia. The actions also align with recommendations identified by
the BC Overdose Action Exchange.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt