Pubdate: Mon, 05 Dec 2016
Source: Metro (Winnipeg, CN MB)
Copyright: 2016 Free Daily News Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/winnipeg
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5322
Author: Stephanie Taylor
Page: A1

'WE DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS THIS BAD'

Firefighter union reacts to Winnipeg's overdose statistics

Winnipeg firefighters and paramedics are responding to more overdose
calls in 2016 than in the past five years, new data shows.

 From Jan. 1 to Nov.16, the city says the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic
Service has received 1,593 calls related to overdoses and poisonings,
which are tracked together.

In 2015, the service had 1,556 of the same calls, compared to 1,328
back in 2014 and 1,269 in 2013.

Municipal spokesperson Michelle Finley said the service only tracks
the calls and does not specify which drug causes an overdose.

But the president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg has a clear
idea of what's behind the uptick.

"I have no doubt in my mind that carfentanil and fentanyl has
increased the numbers somewhat," Alex Forrest said in a recent interview.

"We knew it was bad, but we didn't realize it was this
bad."

Forrest said the most troubling figure is the increase in a number of
patients being treated with naloxone, which is the medication that
counteracts the effects of opioids.

 From Jan.1 to Nov.16, 651 patients were given naloxone, compared to
418 for 2015 and 348 in 2014.

Between Sept. 23 to mid-November of this year, the city says the
service administered the antidote to 179 people.

The city notes the increase in naloxone usage could be related to the
fact paramedics stationed on fire trucks began carrying the medicine
back in March, when before it was only kept on ambulances.

Forrest said there are 40 trucks that are paramedic-equipped, and this
increased access simply enhances the service's response time when
trying to revive an overdose victim.

Dr. Jim Simm is the long-time director of the opioid assessment clinic
at the Health Sciences Centre and director of the Clearview Addiction
Rehabilitation Institute (CARI) methadone clinic.

He recently told Metro that he's seen more of a steady increase in
opioid usage over the past decade than a sudden uptick associated with
fentanyl.

In fact, Simm traces the issue of opioid addiction back to the early
2000s when more doctors in the province began prescribing the drugs.

Forrest also said responding to drug overdoses is nothing new for
firefighters and paramedics, but the only difference is now more
situations are life and death with opioids like fentanyl or its even
more potent variant, carfentanil, on the scene.

Medical experts say the drug is extremely toxic even in small doses,
which increases a user's risk of overdosing.

Compared to other types of drugs, fentanyl and carfentanil have a
smaller margin of error so fatalities are more likely to occur,
Forrest added.

Recently, provincial Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen, predicted up to
170 people will die in Manitoba due to drug overdoses this year.

He said 1,000 more naloxone kits have been ordered with half expected
to arrive later this month.

*

[sidebar]

The annual number of patients that received naloxone by the Winnipeg 
Fire Paramedic Service:

* Jan.1, 2016 - Nov.16, 2016: 651 patients

* 2015: 418 patients

* 2014: 348 patients

* 2013: 307 patients

* 2012: 362 patients

* 2011: 171 patients

Information is supplied by the City of Winnipeg.
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MAP posted-by: Matt