Pubdate: Thu, 18 Jan 2018
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2018 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Jen St. Denis
Page: A1

DOC DOUBLES DOWN ON OPIOID 'ATM'

Drug users need access to clean drugs: BCCDC head

As Vancouver records its highest ever number of overdose deaths, the
head of B.C.'s Centre for Disease Control says he wants to move ahead
on a controversial but innovative idea he feels is vital in the fight
to save lives.

Dr. Mark Tyndall first proposed a vending machine back in December as
a way to distribute prescription opioids to people with serious
addictions who haven't responded to other treatments.

"I tried to pull this argument back because the media really liked
that story and it caught people's attention. I probably did about 15
or 20 interviews over the next three days," Tyndall told Vancouver
City Council during an update on the opioid overdose crisis on Jan.
16.

"After about 20 interviews I totally convinced myself that the best
way to distribute these things would be through vending machines or
ATM-type machines."

After the first burst of news stories, Tyndall was contacted by a
cannabis distribution company who told him they had such a machine
available, pushing the vending machine idea further to reality.

Council heard Wednesday that 335 people in Vancouver died of overdoses
in 2017, the highest number ever. The illegal drug supply is now
completely tainted with powerful synthetic opioids like fentanyl,
meaning that drug users risk overdose every time they use.

Tyndall told council that providing clean drugs to some users is now
necessary to prevent more deaths. Crosstown Clinic provides injectable
hydromorphone to about 150 people, but it's been difficult to import
what's sometimes referred to as medical-grade heroine, and patients
must inject at the clinic under supervision several times a day.

By contrast, oral hydromorphone pills (like the brand name Dilaudid)
are cheap and easy to obtain and can be prescribed by any physician.
Tyndall believes an ATM or "vending machine" would be the most
efficient way to secure the pills from theft, and distribute them in
the right amounts to the right people through biometrics such as a
fingerprint scan.

Dr. Patricia Daly, medical health officer with Vancouver Coastal
Health, told council the health authority is interested in trying out
the idea, but a pilot project would be evaluated "rigorously" and
Tyndall would have to speak with the College of Physicians and
Surgeons of B.C.

The college adopted new guidelines in 2016 meant to tackle the
problem, widespread across North America, of overprescription of opioids.

"If I started to take 50 people and prescribe these things every day,
I would definitely get called on what am I doing." Tyndall
acknowledged of the current guidelines around prescribing.

Tyndall asked Vancouver city council to support the idea as he tries
to get the pilot program up and running. Under a current $1.5 million
grant, 200 patients could participate - and the "vending machine"
could be delivered in one month's time.

"The support of the city would go a long way towards supporting the
ministry and health Canada and other places that need to get behind
this."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt