BC MUST FUND EASY-TO-USE NASAL NALXONE AND MAKE IT WIDELY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC
An opioid overdose is reversible if treated quickly. Naloxone can reverse the effects of an opioid in just a few minutes. BC has refused to fund easy to use nasal naloxone for the general population. BC supplies naloxone in glass vials that must be first broken by hand, then drawn up into a syringe and given as an injection with a needle. That is prohibitive for the majority of the population especially young people. Ontario, Quebec and the NWT have funded easy to use nasal naloxone for years. Nasal naloxone is ready to use and it is a simple squirt in the nose.
Opioids are the leading cause of death in BC in 10-29 year olds. We must do more to keep our young people alive. Every young person, their friends, their family, their teachers and their schools and their community centers must have free access to easy to use NASAL NALXONE, not intimidating needle naloxone.
The brand name for nasal naloxone is “Narcan“.
Ontario Intranasal Naloxone Kit :
Intranasal naloxone from Ontario
BC Naloxone Kit :
Naloxone in syringes from BC
HOW TO USE INTRANASAL NALOXONE:
*** The free naloxone mentioned in this video is only available to Ontario residents.
April 8, 2024 | Global News : New study shows
Nasal naloxone saves lives:
St. John Ambulance Demonstration:
In April, 2024, the state of California has arranged for the purchase of 3.2 million Narcan kits. To date the kits have been distributed to schools, law enforcement agencies, county health departments, clinics and community organizations. The forward-thinking government maintained their naloxone budget after negotiating a lower price for the Narcan, thereby increasing by 50% the number of kits they will purchase:
California to Purchase 3.2 Million Narcan naloxone Kits
Sidney had a witnessed collapse from an opioid overdose at the University of Victoria, and died a preventable death. The student bystanders had no access to Naloxone in the dorm, the University of Victoria relied on their campus security officers to bring Naloxone.
Tragically campus security did not act until it was too late to save Sidney and she died. Tragically the 911 call taker did not dispatch and ambulance for 7 minutes and did not consider a drug ingestion for 11 minutes. You can’t always rely on the system to protect our young people. All students must have free and easy access to nasal Naloxone to protect themselves and each other.
CARRYING NALXONE MUST BECOME WIDESPREAD AND MAINSTREAM. THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN IF WE ONLY PROVIDE NALXONE IN NEEDLES.
Signs & Symptoms of an Overdose:
- Slow or no breathing
- Unresponsive to voice or pain (can’t wake them up)
- Pale face
- Blue lips or nails
- Gurgling or snoring sounds
- Choking or vomiting
- Cold and damp skin
- Narrow (tiny) pupils
- Stiff body or seizure-like movement
How naloxone / Narcan works:
