SASKATOON – A new phase in the province’s fight against fentanyl-related deaths has officially launched. The so-called “EpiPen for addicts” is now available in Saskatchewan, a drug known as Naloxone or Narcan. An antidote that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose from drugs like fentanyl, heroin, methadone, morphine and oxycodone.
If administered immediately the drug has proven to save lives and is safe.
“Naloxone is sometimes administered when there’s a suspected drug overdose but they’re not entirely sure what drugs have been taken which isn’t an uncommon scenario, it doesn’t cause an adverse effects.” Dr. Peter Butt, an addiction specialist with the Saskatoon Health Region in mental health and addiction services.
For decades the drug has been used to prevent deaths but until now it could only be administered in an emergency by trained staff.
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Advanced care paramedics have always had access to Naloxone. In 2014, access to Naloxone was expanded to intermediate care paramedics and primary care paramedics as long as they had the required training.
On Friday that all changed. Take Home Naloxone kits were made accessible to users or family and friends with a loved one who has disclosed misuse of drugs like fentanyl.
“They can book an appointment through the addiction counsellor and the training will begin next week.” remarked Butt.
Mayfair Medical Clinic on 33rd Street West is the only site in the province where the kits are available. The Saskatoon Health Region was selected for the pilot project because of the number of opioid abusers in the region and the number of overdoses.
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In Saskatchewan, there have been 10 deaths every year since 2013 and five as of Aug. 31. These numbers don’t always paint a complete picture as toxicology reports take up to six months or more to get back.
According to health officials they want to make these kits as simple and user friendly as AEDs. Anyone wanting will need a written prescription, followed by 30 minutes of training on how to use them properly.
“There’s lots of checks and balances in place so that we can find out did they get the information that they need.” said Brenda McAllister, manger of the methadone program for the Saskatoon Health Region.
Health officials they don’t think by making Take Home Naloxone kits available this will lead to even more drug-use and that the kits only buy you time in the event of an overdose.
“Sometimes the opioids are very long acting.” said Butt.
“The Narcan, the Naloxone is short acting so when it wears off they may need more.”
Naloxone typically works within five minutes and it’s protection can last for 30 to 90 minutes.
“Sometimes with very long-acting opioids like methadone that can persist for more than 24 hours, they need to be on a Naxlone drip until they get through that period of time.”
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The success of the pilot will be tracked in a number of different ways the reduction of opioid-related deaths, EMS reports and prescription refills.
The kits are free for users or their family and will be covered by the ministry. Each kit costing roughly $30 to $40, cheaper than an ICU stay say health officials or a funeral.
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