THUNDER BAY - A drug that can bring someone back from an overdose is becoming more readily available across Ontario, and pharmacists and paramedics in Thunder Bay say it will save lives.
Naloxone, a drug that counteracts the effects of opioids and can stop an overdose, is available in more than 200 cities across Ontario as part of the Ontario Naloxone Pharmacy Program.
Janzen’s Pharmacy in Thunder Bay has carried the naloxone kits since June 2016, but pharmacist John-Paul Federico said in that time, the pharmacy has only given out roughly 20 kits.
“Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a great deal of demand for these because the public is not fully aware of them yet,” he said. “I’ve been targeting certain patients, methadone patients, and patients especially on fentanyl. Most patients are receptive and like having these as a backup first aid kit.”
“They are essentially first aid kits,” Federico continued. “When someone experiences an overdose, these would be used as soon as possible to save their life.”
Opioid overdoses can cause respiratory depression, lowering an individual’s breathing to as low as four to six breaths per minute. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids and can start working within two minutes of an injection.
“Unfortunately, there have been numerous death due to opioid overdoses such as fentanyl, but also heroin, morphine, methadone,” Federico said. “So to prevent these deaths we encourage anyone on opioids to have a kit readily available.”
Easier access to naloxone is also being welcomed by paramedics in the city. Andrew Dillon, deputy chief for professional standards for Superior North EMS, said all EMS crews carry naloxone kits.
“It’s absolutely a concern for us,” he said. “We have increased the Narcan (naloxone) medication in all our vehicles by three times. We are carrying three times what we were carrying even six months ago. It’s something we are taking a proactive approach to.”
While Thunder Bay has not experienced an epidemic of opioid overdoses, paramedics are keeping a close eye on situations in other parts of Canada.
“Within the Thunder Bay area, we are seeing some increase in the use of opioids, whether that be fentanyl, or other forms of the opioid, perks and oxys, but we are not seeing, at least not yet, the huge increases in use such as the east side of Vancouver, or even to that matter, Winnipeg,” Dillon said. “I just assume that it’s going to be coming, but as of yet, we haven’t seen the massive rise in the use of it that those cities have.”
Naloxone kits can be picked up at pharmacies across Thunder Bay and are available to anyone with an Ontario health card. The kits are free and anyone who is given a kit is trained by a pharmacist how to use it. Naloxone itself is not harmful, but for those who need it, it can save your life.
“It allows families of those who use opioids, to have the option to get that medication and have it,” Dillon said. “You can’t cut people off cold turkey, so if they are going to use it, you need to have a way to save them.”
