Trucks at the Penticton Fire Department are now equipped with Naloxone kits and all of its members have completed training on how to use the lifesaving overdose drug.
Read More: West Kelowna fire fighters now equipped with lifesaving overdose drug
This comes just as the Ministry of Health loosened the rules surrounding the administration of the medication.
The recent changes mean that fire fighters no longer have to get permission from an on-call doctor before injecting the drug into a patient.
It also means firefighters no longer have to get certification from B.C. Emergency Health Services.
“They’re no longer requiring that endorsement on our license,” explained fire fighter Chad Taylor.
“They’re just making it easier for fire departments to get Naloxone training.”
The changes are also impacting how quickly pharmacists can administer and dispense the drug.
“Before it could take up to a week because the nurse would have to schedule an appointment with the patient..to go through the training,” said pharmacist Joelle Mbamy.
The number of illicit drug deaths in B.C. this year has already surpassed the total number of such deaths last year and local first responders are being called out to an increasing number of opioid overdoses. The province is hoping the changes will help prevent further loss of life.
Read More: New coroners team to reinvestigate drug deaths in B.C.
This week B.C.’s chief coroner also announced a specialized drug death investigation team has been formed. It plans to take a deeper look into drug deaths in an effort to prevent future tragedies.