There’s an opioid crisis sweeping the country and to combat the increasing number of deaths by overdose, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario division, is urging bars, restaurants and other public venues to start stocking life-saving naloxone kits.It’s backing up that recommendation with a new online resource on naloxone, which temporarily reverses the effects of opioid overdose, creating a window of opportunity to obtain emergency medical help.“We don’t think twice when we see a defibrillator,” said Camille Quenneville, chief executive officer of the CMHA Ontario, referring to electrical devices that can be used to treat heart arrhythmia and that are now available in public venues including hockey arenas.“Having a naloxone kit could have the same effect. It may save a life.”Read more:Thompson tragedy should be ‘tipping point’ for police: harm-reduction workerOttawa must go further to fight opioid crisis: EditorialOverdose Prevention Society scrambling for proper safe-injection sitesThe CMHA Ontario online guide tells people how to spot an opioid-related emergency, how to administer the drug and what to expect after it takes effect — the person might go into withdrawal and vomit or be confused and disoriented. They may go into overdose again. In the event that someone is given naloxone and they are not experiencing an opioid overdose, there will not be any significant impacts or harm.The resource also includes information to help organizations draft naloxone policies.Quenneville said the CMHA Ontario, wants to normalize the conversation about having the kits.“Out tool kit gives us some leverage to have that conversation.”Data from Ontario’s chief coroner reveals that 865 Ontarians died of opioid overdose in 2016, a 19-per-cent increase since 2015. That means someone dies of an opioid overdose every 10 hours in Ontario, Quenneville pointed out.There were approximately 2,500 d ...
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