WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Police Service plans to equip its officers with Naloxone, a drug that combats opioid overdoses.
Deputy Chief Danny Smyth said he hopes officers will have Naloxone kits within one or two months.
“It’s hitting the radar more now because we’re running into it more,” Smyth said.
Three people have died of suspected fentanyl overdoses in the last week, including two men who were found in a vehicle parked on College Ave.
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“We’re certainly working with health officials and justice officials to make that happen as quickly as we can,” Smyth said.
Pharmacists at Tache Pharmacy have been working with police to develop the kits.
In typical Naloxone kits the drug is administered with a needle but police are looking at a nasal spray because it’s faster and easier to use.
“They would like to go that route because right now we can use a special access program to get the drug but they cost at least twice the price of what the injection is,” Gregory Harochaw, manager of Tache Pharmacy said.
It’s not clear how much the Naloxone kits will cost the Winnipeg Police Service.
Aside from allowing police to help people who have overdosed on opioid drugs like fentanyl, the kits could also be used if officers ever come into contact with them on a call.
RCMP began equipping their officers with nasally-administered Naloxone kits last month.