Pubdate: Thu, 06 Oct 2016
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Glen Schaefer
Page: A11

TRUSTEE URGES ANTI-OVERDOSE KITS FOR B.C. HIGH SCHOOLS

A Maple Ridge school trustee is proposing that anti-overdose kits be
made available at all B.C. secondary schools as part of the battle
against the often-lethal use of the drug fentanyl.

Susan Carr, vice-chairwoman of the Maple Ridge board, said her
awareness of the drug's dangers goes back three years, when she had a
family member become addicted to the drug - the individual is in
recovery now.

"It was a world I never even imagined," Carr said Wednesday as she
prepared to host a school forum that night on the drug's dangers. "You
find yourself overwhelmed with the situation and terrified that while
you're trying to find help, your family member is going to die right
in front of you."

Carr is preparing a motion to bring to her board's Oct. 19 meeting,
that the provincial ministries of health and education prepare a
protocol on fentanyl preparedness that would include kits with the
anti-overdose drug naloxone at all B.C. high schools.

"I've lived it, I get it, that's why I'm passionate about getting the
message out there," Carr said before heading to the evening forum.

Police and health authorities were scheduled to give presentations on
the narcotic drug, which has come into widespread use with traces
found in marijuana and cocaine. A rash of fentanyl-related overdoses
that put nine people in hospital over one night in Delta prompted
school and police authorities in September to host two such forums.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt