Pubdate: Wed, 28 Dec 2016
Source: Goldstream Gazette (Victoria, CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.vicnews.com/eeditions/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1291
Webpage: http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/407968646.html
Author: Katherine Engqvist

WEST SHORE FIRST RESPONDERS ON FRONT LINES OF DRUG OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC

Firefighters treating increasing numbers of drug overdose victims

In the middle of another devastating month for drug overdoses in
Greater Victoria, West Shore first responders continue to be on the
front lines of some of these calls.

"Our hearts go out to the families that are dealing with these types
of emergencies," said Langford Fire Rescue Capt. Lance Caven. He added
that the Langford department, along with other West Shore
firefighters, are "responding to these calls as part of a team."

By mid-December, the Langford department had already responded to four
overdose calls.

Last month, 128 people in B.C. died from illicit drug overdoses - the
highest monthly death total of the year. On average that was more than
four deaths a day.

This week B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said so far December has
been a "bad month" and she acknowledged the efforts of emergency
responders on the front lines.

View Royal Fire Chief Paul Hurst noted that year-to-date they have
responded to 25 overdose calls. While the system they use to track
calls doesn't differentiate what drugs are involved, he confirmed most
were related to illicit drug use. Of those, he also confirmed, at
least two were fatal.

In the first half of the December, View Royal had already responded to
five overdose calls. That was up from the three they had in November.

Acting Fire Chief John Cassidy noted that year to date Colwood Fire
Rescue has responded to 10 requests for assistance from B.C. Emergency
Health Services for drug or alcohol intoxication.

In September the department activated a program to administer the
overdose drug naloxone and has trained all its members on its use and
administration. Since then firefighters have administered the drug
three times.

Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop, whose crews have been trained
on naloxone but have yet to use it, said it's not always obvious that
someone is overdosing, especially when they won't admit to using
drugs. Last month the department responded to two suspected overdose
calls.

Dunlop reiterated that not all overdose calls are a result of illicit
drugs and local departments can also receive calls for overdoses from
prescription medication.

Stats announced this week put the year-to-date overdose death toll to
755 in B.C., a huge increase from the 443 seen in the same time period
in 2015. Fentanyl had been detected in 374 deaths this year, or about
60 per cent - the number had tripled from the same time period in 2015.

By area, Vancouver had 164 deaths, Surrey 92 deaths and Greater
Victoria 64. The government has implemented overdose prevention sites
in all three cities, including two in Victoria, at Our Place on
Pandora Avenue and the transitional housing facility on Johnson Street.

To combat the increasing death toll, Lapointe said, it's crucial for
those using drugs to be able to access help without experiencing
negative stigmas or judgment and risking of loss of employment.

- - with files from Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press
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MAP posted-by: Matt