Take-home naloxone kits available in Moose Jaw area to combat overdoses

A simple kit can be the difference between life and death for people suffering an opioid overdose, and they will soon be available in the Moose Jaw area.

The Five Hills Health Region (FHHR) is the sixth jurisdiction to offer free, take-home naloxone kits. These kits contain two injections that act as a temporary antidote to an overdose of fentanyl, oxycodone and other opioid drugs.

“Even though we don’t have a huge problem here in Five Hills or Saskatchewan right now, we know that it’s an emerging trend and we need to be prepared for when we have issues,” FHHR integrated community health executive director Mary Lee Both said.

READ MORE: The fight against fentanyl in Saskatchewan and beyond

The kits will be available to the public starting Tuesday, June 6. People at high risk of an opioid overdose are eligible to receive a kit, just call FHHS Mental Health and Addictions Services to set up a training session.

Naloxone lasts for approximately half an hour, so it’s essential to call 9-1-1 in order to get proper help. If help does not arrive and the first injection is wearing off, the second can be administered.

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Naloxone only works in counteracting opioids, and has no effect on other types of drug overdoses.

READ MORE: OPP outfitting front-line officers with naloxone kits to counter fentanyl overdoses

Front-line members of the Moose Jaw Police Service will now also be carrying naloxone nasal spray. This spray can be administered quickly to people they suspect may be suffering an opioid overdose.

“We know they’re here and we have had one fentanyl seizure in the past while,” Chief Rick Bourassa said.

READ MORE: Edmonton firefighters used naloxone kits 36 times in 13 weeks

Bourassa added that there is increased danger around fentanyl due to its potency, which can be 50 to 100 times stronger than oxycodone and morphine, and it has a history of being mixed into other illegal drugs.

Other health regions that have access to take-home naloxone kits are Saskatoon, Regina Qu’Appelle, Prairie North (North Battleford), Sunrise (Yorkton) and Prince Albert Parkland.

The Ministry of Health plans to have the kits available all across the province by early next year. In total, the program costs $50,000.