Health and Community Services
August 31, 2016
Supporting Health and Well-Being
Naloxone Kits to be Available This Fall in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Provincial Government will provide funding to the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador and the four regional health authorities to establish a province-wide take-home naloxone program. The program will increase access to naloxone, a safe and effective compound that reverses the effects of opioid overdose.
"Today, on International Overdose Awareness Day, we are recognizing the growing epidemic of opioid use in Canada. Sadly, Newfoundland and Labrador is also feeling the impact. I am pleased that naloxone kits will soon be available in our province. I believe they will save lives. No one approach will solve this problem. Over the next few months, we will continue to aggressively pursue steps to address this serious public health issue."
- The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services
Through an investment of $180,000, approximately 1,200 naloxone kits will be distributed to target populations by the regional health authorities and the Safe Works Access Program (SWAP). SWAP is operated by the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador. Kits will be provided free of charge. They will include naloxone, single use syringes, a pair of latex gloves, alcohol swabs, a one-way rescue breathing barrier mask and a step-by-step instruction pamphlet. It is anticipated that kits will be ready for distribution early this fall.
"The AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador appreciates the opportunity to work with the Provincial Government to enhance the health and safety of our community. This is the beginning of many initiatives to strengthen existing programs and provide better services to the drug using population. The take-home naloxone program is a stepping stone to rehabilitation and safety."
- Gerard Yetman, Executive Director, AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador
This initiative is part of the Provincial Government's opioid action plan rolling out this fall and builds on actions already being taken to address this issue including:
- Development of a safe prescribing course in partnership with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador and Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine;
- Development of a Prescription Monitoring Program; and
- Mandatory connection by all pharmacies to the Pharmacy Network by January 1, 2017.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government will provide funding to the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador and the four regional health authorities to establish a province-wide take-home naloxone program.
- The program will increase access to naloxone, a safe and effective compound that reverses the effects of opioid overdose.
- Approximately 1,200 naloxone kits will be distributed to target populations by the regional health authorities and the Safe Works Access Program (SWAP). Kits will be provided free of charge.
- This initiative is part of the Provincial Government's opioid action plan rolling out this fall and builds on actions already being taken to address this issue.
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Media contacts:
|
Tina Williams
Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca |
Gerard Yetman
Executive Director AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-579-8656 gyetman@acnl.net |
2016 08 31 9:15 a.m.