Chris Lowrey
SHAWVILLE Dec. 6, 2017
With the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths on the rise across the country, the Quebec government has taken the step of ensuring that naloxone kits are available for free in pharmacies across the province.
Naloxone is a fast-acting intravenous drug that reverses the effects opioid overdose.
The provincial government announced that the kits would be rolled out across Quebec in September.
Shawville Pharmacy Uniprix Santé Ahmad Hassan recently got its first S.O.S. naloxone kit.
The kit consists of syringes used to administer the drug, alcoholic swabs and the drug itself among other things. The kit also includes a step-by-step information kit on how to administer the drug.
The training kit lists six actions someone who administers naloxone would have to take. They would have to start by stimulating the person they suspect is experiencing an overdose. Next, they would have to make sure the victim’s airway is clear and then give one breath every five seconds. The rescuer would then have to evaluate the victim and, if necessary, inject them with the drug.
After they perform an injection, the rescuer would have to re-evaluate the victim and determine if another dose is necessary.
Naloxone can begin working as quickly as one to five minutes after injection and doses can be repeated every 26 minutes.
Those who want to pick up a kit must go through a quick training course, usually lasting less than a half an hour, which will be given by a pharmacist. Kits can also be picked up confidentially and is accessible to anyone.
When asked if this is something that is needed in the Pontiac, Hassan was straightforward.
“Oh definitely,” he said. “Substance abuse is a problem in every region.”
Although fentanyl-related deaths have been on the rise recently, the number of those deaths in Quebec is not readily available.
In British Columbia, there have already been more than 1,100 opioid-related deaths. Fentanyl-laced street drugs are one of the most common causes of these deaths.
This is part of a strategy by the province and municipalities to combat the rise in opioid opioid-related deaths. Over the last year, Montreal has seen a spike in opioid-related overdose deaths.
Hassan said he thinks the increased availability of naloxone kits will help to combat opioid-related deaths in the province.
