Pubdate: Sat, 10 Dec 2016
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Author: Peggy Revell
Page: A6

NALOXONE SAVING MORE AND MORE LIVES FROM OVERDOSE

A spike in fentanyl-overdose reversals thanks to naloxone kits has
been documented by the local HIV Community Link, and shows the
lifesaving impact the program is having.

Since the local organization began training and dispersing naloxone
kits, they've officially documented 16 overdose reversals - and 12
within just the last few weeks, said overdose prevention nurse Kim
Dick.

"It's been quite a jump - it's been correlated with something like a
bad batch of heroin we're assuming was laced with fentanyl coming
through town," said Dick.

And those numbers are an underestimate, she said.

"I'm sure there's been a lot more ... but we don't see them back
through the door a lot to report them. We hear about tons and tons of
reversals, but people don't report them all the time."

In response, HIV Community Link is "ramping up training" as much as
they can, and continuing to give out kits. So far they've trained
almost 500 people in the community on how to administer a naloxone
kit, while 159 kits have been dispersed.

That so many people want to know about how to use the kits, and the
risks of opioid use and fentanyl in the community is "pretty awesome"
said Dick, and they're "cranking out kits as fast as we can get them."

It takes about half an hour to an hour to complete the HIV Community
Link's training program.

Kits are also available through local pharmacies and associated
Alberta Health Service agencies.

Having the kits and training is especially important as the holiday
season approaches, said Dick, as people "tend to enjoy merriment,"
which means they could be experimenting or trying new substances.

Knowing how to use the kit isn't just important for those who have an
opioid addiction.

An estimated 25 to 30 per cent of people who overdose tend to be
people who are prescribed opioids, said Dick.

"Maybe it's having a conversation with your family members who are
prescribed from their doctors as well, because there's a risk factor,"
said Dick.

Meanwhile, studies done at the Safe Injection sites in Vancouver show
that up to 86 per cent of illicit drugs coming off the street can
contain fentanyl, said Dick - so knowing how to use a naloxone kit is
not just for people who use opioids, but also anyone who might use any
sort of drug since there's the risk of fentanyl being cut into it.

Knowing how to use the kit is also useful for people who have
teenagers in the house, or young people who might be experimenting
with drugs - and anyone who may come into contact with people who
might be using opioids.

"It's basically like having a life jacket on a boat. At least you have
the tool there if you need to use it. God forbid you ever have to use
it, but at least you have the ability to do so if you need to," said
Dick.

As reported by the News in October, since the launch of the program in
July 2015, more than 6,000 kits have been distributed across the
province, and 408 overdose referrals officially reported back to
Alberta Health Services - an underestimate of the number of lives saved.

 From January 2015 to the end of June this year, there were 427 deaths
in Alberta associated with fentanyl, and of those, 21 were in the south 
zone.

Those wanting to access naloxone kit training can contact Dick at HIV
Community Link at 403-527-5882.

Watch Dick demonstrate how to use a naloxone kit at under the video
tab on www.medicinehatnews.com or at https://youtu.be/Nbvu17E7xZM
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MAP posted-by: Matt