Mental health association urging all public venues to stock naloxone kits

"There isn't any rhyme or reason to where people abuse drugs," says an executive with the Ontario branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Thestar.com
Nov. 20, 2017
By Francine Kopun

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."

The 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 deaths due to opioids in 2016 across Canada.

The Ontario government has taken numerous steps to combat the crisis, including the distribution of more than 28,000 naloxone kits to pharmacies, public health units and community-based organizations that run needle exchange and hepatitis-C programs. Kits have also been distributed at provincial correctional facilities.

Anyone with an Ontario Health Insurance Plan card can get one for free at a pharmacy and receive instructions on how to use them. The kits include naloxone that can be delivered as a nasal spray or injection.

But Quenneville said she would like to see them in all public venues.

"There isn't any rhyme or reason to where people abuse drugs or where they could potentially overdose," said Quenneville.

She said public education and acceptance is critical to reducing opioid overdose deaths.

Across the province, the John Howard Society of Ontario is trying to find ways to respond to the opioid crisis, according to Paula Osmok, executive director of the charity that advocates for humane treatment of those accused or convicted of crimes.

"There is a significantly increased risk of drug-related death for individuals upon release from jail or prison, and the majority of those deaths involve opioids," said Osmok.

"This (CMHA Ontario guide) certainly helps as it provides valuable naloxone policy guidance and education."

Opioids are often used for pain management and can include fentanyl, morphine, heroin and oxycodone.

Carmen Elle, general manager of Toronto's Less Bar, and a musician with the band Diana, said she picked up a naloxone kit for the bar as soon as she heard about them in September.

"It seemed like a no-brainer. There's no economic reason not to do it, and it doesn't adversely affect anyone who is not overdosing on opioids," she said.

She said the material from the CMHA Ontario helps expand the discussion about opioid abuse.

"I think outreach and awareness is tremendously important."

She said she hasn't had to use the kit so far.

"The bar has only been open for a couple of months so hopefully we won't be dealing with it, but statistically we might."