Everyday heroes

Why having a naloxone kit on hand could save a life

You’ve undoubtedly heard about the opioid crisis over the past couple of decades, but did you know that the opioid overdose death epidemic became worse with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic? The incorrect use or misuse of opioid medications typically kills nearly 4,000 Canadians every year, but it took just over 7,200 lives in the first full year of the pandemic, beginning in April 2020. These medications, such as oxycodone, morphine and fentanyl, are sometimes prescribed for chronic pain; they can be obtained legitimately via a prescription or illicitly through other sources. August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, and it highlights the importance of better understanding this problem.

Effective treatments for opioid addiction often involve a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and motivational enhancement therapy, along with medication-assisted treatment such as methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone, but the negative perception and the stigma of addiction often prevent sufferers from seeking treatment. Both medications are opioids that do not cause withdrawal symptoms, and both reduce cravings in people who are addicted to opioids.

Naloxone, a drug that is available in injectable and nasal forms, reverses opioids’ deadly effects on breathing, and Costco pharmacists train many individuals on its use. Having a naloxone kit in the home is a little like having a fire extinguisher as a precaution. In most provinces, these kits are given out at no charge, and some people who obtain them—and then carry them on their person, just in case—end up saving a family member’s or stranger’s life. Could you be that hero?

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Always follow the directions on the label to ensure safe use and correct dosage. Item 3998521. Warehouses/ Costco.ca.—Alexandre Champagne OTC Pharmacy