The North Bay-Parry Sound District Health Unit says its approach to supplying overdose kits to drug users should not be viewed as the organization condoning the use of opioids.
Medical Officer of Health Doctor Jim Chirico says the health unit remains opposed to drugs, but it wants to make sure people who take drugs don’t die.
That’s why Chirico is urging users not to take drugs alone.
Chirico also says the health unit provides an overdose counteragent to users known as naloxone (also known as the brand name Narcan).
It’s free and people don’t need to give their names when picking up the nasal spray.
“If you’re going to use drugs, you should carry a kit with you,” Chirico said.
“Your friends need to know where it is and how to use it.”
Video courtesy of the Government of Ontario/ontario.ca via YouTube
Chirico said health unit staff will show a person how to use the spray.
Chirico also strongly advises that people who are with someone who has overdosed call 911 even though they may have administered naloxone.
“Naloxone may not work on something like carfentanyl,” he said, a drug that is 100 times more powerful than fentanyl and 10,000 times more powerful morphine.
“Only 46 percent of people call 911. But we recommend calling 911 because naloxone may only work in the short term o
r not all with some drug mixtures.”
Chirico also says if your high feels unusual, again call 911.
“I know of one case where doing this saved a young woman’s life,” he said.
“She felt unusual and 911 was called.”
In 2017 the health unit handed out 255 Naloxone kits and most of them went to various services like fire, police as well as to Nipissing First Nation.
He adds a small number went to members of the public.
Chirico said so far this year the health unit is aware of 35 instances of naloxone being administered by clients of the agency to people who overdosed.
(With files from Rocco Frangione)