Latest news with #naloxone
CBC
4 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Fredericton mobile outreach van to run 24/7 thanks to federal funding
An outreach team run out of a Sprinter van is now working around the clock thanks to funding through a federal overdose prevention fund. "With the teamwork and the smarts that we have here in Fredericton, along with the support that we've received from the federal government, I am confident that this project is going to have a meaningful life changing impact," said Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers. The funding will expand the hours of the mobile outreach team, which helps to connect those living rough to services, administers and distributes naloxone kits, and provides addictions support. The van was purchased by the City of Fredericton and is run by the John Howard Society of Fredericton. Six new staff members will be hired and trained in mental-health first aid, trauma informed care, overdose prevention and suicide intervention. John Barrow, executive director of the John Howard Society, said the team now works with about 200 people a day and 30 people a night. The daytime service has been in place for nearly a decade. "I think the biggest thing is to meet people where they're at," Barrow said. "A lot of times when they're requesting intervention or support services, the time to do it is in the moment." "We've got a team now that can respond to folks who are directly on the streets at the point when they want the intervention. That's the time to strike." The funding comes from the Emergency Treatment Fund and is one of four programs in Atlantic Canada receiving a total of $2.8 million. Miramichi, Amherst, Nova Scotia, and St. John's are the other three communities receiving funding for community programs, but neither the Fredericton event nor the news release included any details about what those programs are. The Fredericton portion of the funding is $578,100. Fredericton addictions outreach van to go 24/7 21 minutes ago Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michelle was in Fredericton for the announcement and confirmed the funding is only for one year, after which the program will be "reassessed." "We don't know, you know, in a year where we will be with this crisis, is it going to improve? Is it going to be a big one? So we will adapt," she said. "We need to understand talking about mental health challenges, those crises, it cannot be solved in one day. We collectively have to improve access for people to get not only emergency [services], but also treatment and what works for them." Rogers was quick to say the City of Fredericton will enure the program receives the funding it needs. "I'm certain it will demonstrate that it has had an impact," she said. "When you work with a trusted organization like John Howard, I think we all work together to see how we can continue to support that project. We have been supporting them, locally, provincially and I know the federal government will now see proof of concept in this work." Roger said she is "confident that we will see ongoing support for this project."
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Party safer: Tips for a safe summer party season
If you or someone near you is using drugs, you'll want to know some important safety tips. With summer festival season in full swing and vacations underway, it's party time for thousands of people across Ottawa. Ottawa Public Health has launched a new online tool to help people party safely, especially when alcohol or drugs are involved. 'We know that alcohol and drugs are a part of the festivities and celebration often, too,' Megan Francoeur, with Ottawa Public Health, told CTV Morning Live. 'Just making sure that we're not mixing substances, starting low, going slow, looking out for each other, getting naloxone, making sure that we know how to respond to overdose and intoxication.' includes free online trainings, printable materials, social media tools, and community resources for event goers and event organizers. 'There's resources for event staff and volunteers, free trainings that take 15 minutes with some really practical tips and also resources for parents and guardians to talk about substance use with your teens and also festivalgoers and school students,' said Francoeur. The site has details on commonly used substances like alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and tobacco, along with information on harm reduction and naloxone use, including where to get naloxone kits. Naloxone A naloxone kit is shown in this undated image. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa) The site also has information on mental health and addictions resources, bystander intervention and violence prevention, and safe sex. 'People are out more and we've been out at special events recently and it's been so nice to see the response from thousands of people coming up, saying they're happy to be doing this type of training and we love to see it when somebody walks by our tent and goes, 'I already have a (naloxone) kit,'' Francoeur said. The free trainings require an Olearn account, which is free to set up, but other resources including tips, information, and links to service providers are freely accessible on the website.
CBS News
18-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Baltimore leaders discuss plan to combat opioid crisis near city's mass overdose site
Baltimore leaders discussed strategies for tackling the city's opioid crisis with residents in the same community where 27 people were hospitalized on July 10 in a mass overdose. Inside the Gethsamane Baptist Church, in the North Penn community, the Mayor's Office of Overdose Response presented its strategic overdose plan focusing on prevention, treatment, and recovery. On Thursday, scientists with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) said drug samples collected from the overdose site revealed a mix of drugs, including N-Methylclonazepam, an ingredient the NIST had not encountered before in street drugs. It can cause intense sedative and hypnotic side effects. A part of the mayor's plan calls for ramping up naloxone distribution (Narcan), possibly mobile treatment centers, and providing 24/7 access to treatment and support services. City leaders are asking for community input and suggestions on ways to eliminate drug overdoses. "It is a plan that is for the entire city, so getting feedback from community members about what the plan looks like and how it's going to show up in their community is really important for us to make sure we're getting it right," said Sara Whaley, executive director of the Mayor's Office of Overdose Response. With $400 million in settlement money from pharmaceutical companies now available to the city, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and his administration are looking to pour that money back into the community by funding resources to curb addiction. "If we want people to get help, we have to have that help there right there on the spot," Mayor Scott said. "This isn't a cookie-cutter thing. When someone is ready to get help or hits rock bottom or goes to something that makes them want to change, what is happening with them, we have to have people there to support that person in that moment, we cannot wait." Donald Young shared his story about fentanyl abuse. He said his mother died from an overdose in 2016. "I lost my mother in 2016 to a fentanyl overdose, and I suffered from substance use until I got clean," Young said. Young was one of dozens of residents in West Baltimore looking for solutions to end the opioid crisis. "We need to see more efforts like this at the prevention and not wait until there's a mass overdose," Young said. As the investigation is still ongoing, residents say they want to make sure mass overdoses don't happen again. "If it's constantly in our environment, then what else are we going to see? But we have to get more involved," resident Terrell Carpenter said. "We can't just talk and not do things. That's one of the reasons why I'm here." WJZ got a tour of the Tuerk House in West Baltimore, where some of the survivors of the mass overdose went for treatment. The survivors were referred to the Tuerk House by local hospitals in the immediate aftermath of the mass overdose. Their rooms are quiet and clinical, yet full of support, with 24-hour nursing staff and access to individual counseling. "One is downstairs and one is right here in this room," said Dr. Pierre Thomas. "We have a 50-year-old male patient who came here from the hospital. He's getting his detox. He has a full shower, we have providers, and peer support." Two additional listening sessions will be held in July: Read the Overdose Strategic Plan here.
Medscape
17-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Rapid Rx Quiz: Opioid Overdose
Recent efforts in prevention, treatment, and harm reduction have led to encouraging signs of progress in the opioid epidemic. Increased public awareness, expanded access to naloxone, and evolving prescribing practices have all contributed to a decline in overdose deaths. However, due to the widespread availability of synthetic opioids (particularly fentanyl), clinicians must remain vigilant because overdose presentations are becoming increasingly complex and resistant to standard interventions. Effective management requires rapid clinical decision-making and a thorough understanding of opioid pharmacology and toxicity. How much do you know about managing opioid overdose? Test yourself with this quick quiz. Activation of cardiac opioid receptors during overdose leads to membrane hyperpolarization and increased vagal tone. These effects promote bradycardia and peripheral vasodilation, both of which can lead to hypotension. In addition, systemic histamine release can further intensify vasodilation and might result in profound hypotension. Learn more about the pathophysiology of opioid toxicity. According to ASAM guidelines, naloxone should be administered to all pregnant women experiencing an opioid overdose to prioritize maternal survival. Delaying or withholding naloxone during overdose due to concerns about fetal effects is not recommended. Although naloxone might precipitate opioid withdrawal, this risk is outweighed by the need to reverse potentially fatal respiratory depression. Learn more about the presentation of opioid toxicity. Buprenorphine has an exceptionally high affinity for the mu opioid receptor, making it difficult to displace with naloxone. A bolus dose of naloxone is recommended to achieve a high enough serum concentration to begin competitively binding at these receptor sites. Continuous infusion alone might be insufficient to rapidly reverse respiratory depression without an initial bolus. Hemodialysis is not an effective treatment for buprenorphine overdose, and avoiding dialysis is not a relevant consideration. Although benzodiazepines are commonly co-ingested with buprenorphine and might contribute to respiratory depression, this does not explain the need for a naloxone bolus, because naloxone does not reverse benzodiazepine effects. Buprenorphine has a long half-life compared to many other opioid drugs, but this affects the duration of monitoring and the potential need for prolonged naloxone infusion, not the decision to administer a bolus dose. Learn more about buprenorphine/naloxone toxicity. Recommended criteria for emergency department discharge following 6-12 hours of observation after naloxone reversal of opioid overdose include an oxygen saturation ≥ 92% on room air. Other criteria include a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15, a respiratory rate ≥ 10 breaths/min, and blood pressure between 110/90 mm Hg and 140/90 mm Hg. These parameters help confirm sustained clinical stability following naloxone reversal. Learn more about emergency department care of opioid toxicity. Fentanyl exhibits a biphasic plasma concentration profile, with an initial peak followed by a decline. However, in overdose, secondary plasma peaks might occur 45-60 minutes or even hours later, a phenomenon referred to as 'fentanyl rebound.' These delayed increases in fentanyl concentration have been linked to new or recurrent respiratory depression, sometimes requiring additional naloxone. Nalmefene injection or nalmefene intranasal are other options for treating fentanyl overdose. Nalmefene has a longer half-life than naloxone. Despite rapid hepatic metabolism, fentanyl has a prolonged and variable duration of effect due to redistribution into peripheral tissues. Because fentanyl is highly lipophilic, it readily accumulates in tissues like muscle and fat, especially with repeated use. Fentanyl-induced skeletal muscle rigidity, including the chest wall rigidity known as wooden chest syndrome, typically occurs within minutes of exposure. This complication can make airway management more difficult in overdose scenarios. Learn more about fentanyl.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Illicit drugs are getting into Yukon's only fly-in community. Officials say there's little they can do
The Yukon government says that stopping illicit drugs from reaching the remote, fly-in community of Old Crow is an urgent issue — but government and regulatory officials also say they have limited authority to do much about it. The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation issued a public notice earlier this summer warning Old Crow residents that tainted drugs may have made their way into the community, and urging anybody using illicit drugs to carry naloxone and to not use alone. It followed a letter sent earlier this year from a territorial government minister to Yukon's MP, describing the flow of illicit drugs into Old Crow as an "urgent" and "pressing" issue that somehow needs to be addressed. CBC News sent the Vuntut Gwitchin Government — which declared a substance use emergency in Old Crow two years ago — multiple requests for an interview, but the First Nation said it had nothing to say "beyond what has already been shared publicly." Meanwhile Annie Blake, the NDP MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin, says drugs have had devastating impacts on her community and she wants more done to address the issue. "We've lost so many of our community members," said Blake. "And we continue to see so many people struggling." She says impacts are compounded by the community's size and isolation. "We see things very openly and deeply with each other, and when people are struggling, everyone feels it." Blake, who has spoken openly in the past about her own struggles with substance use, says a toxic drug supply can have particularly devastating impacts in Old Crow. "For the most part, a lot of people who use, use in groups. It's a safety mechanism. But if there's a toxic drug supply, it's a huge risk factor. It's quite scary." She says she visits with people who are raising their grandchildren because the children's parents struggle with substance use issues, or have died due to overdose. Blake said they are frustrated by the lack of attention to the issue. "What are we doing to support the children who've lost their parents? The grandparents raising their grandkids? What grief supports are we investing in? What mental health services are available?" Blake asked. "These are the questions I keep hearing in the homes I visit." Jurisdictional gaps, limited enforcement In a January letter to Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, obtained by CBC News, the territory's highways and public works minister described some of the challenges to stemming the flow of illicit drugs into Old Crow. Minister Nils Clarke wrote that those challenges include the fact that "there is no federal or territorial law that would authorize the RCMP to search all mail or baggage arriving in Old Crow." Yukon RCMP told CBC News in an email that random dog searches at an airport would violate Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects against unreasonable search or seizure. To use a sniffer-dog team at an airport, the RCMP says there would have to be "reasonable suspicion" that an offence had been committed. Larger airports around the country rely on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), which was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York, to screen passengers and baggage. But Clarke points out that in Yukon, CATSA only operates out of Erik Nielsen Airport in Whitehorse, and not the airports in Dawson City or Inuvik, N.W.T. — the two aerodromes with direct flights to Old Crow. "Passengers and goods flying to Old Crow are not screened by CATSA, as they do not go through our screening checkpoints prior to boarding the aircraft," said CATSA spokesperson Dominique Huras in an email to CBC News. Clarke's letter says even if CATSA did provide security, searching for drugs is not part of its mandate. He wrote that in conversations his office had with federal authorities, it became clear that CATSA "specifically targets threats to safety of civil aviation," but does not screen for "community contraband." Transport Canada, which regulates CATSA, told CBC News in a statement that the authority screens for "prohibited items that could potentially pose a threat to aviation security," and provided a link to a full list of items banned from flights, including weapons and incendiary devices. It is a criminal offence to carry illicit drugs in checked or carry-on baggage on any flight, and CATSA told CBC News that when illegal drugs are "inadvertently discovered during screening, local police are advised." 'How are we supporting those who are already struggling?' Blake says some residents in Old Crow want to see more RCMP presence at the airport and tighter security on flights to the community. She also says some people would like to see more local drug enforcement in Old Crow. "We only have two RCMP officers, so some people talk about the need to have more presence in the community," she said. However, Blake also said it's clear that enforcement on its own isn't the answer. "People also ask, how are we supporting those who are already struggling? Where are the harm reduction services, the health care, the safety checks, the nutrition? Why is there no regular programming like men's groups or women's groups? Why aren't there workshops to help people understand how to access Yukon government supports?" Blake asked. She said conversations are happening between the Vuntut Gwitchin, territorial and federal government agencies, as well as funding initiatives and programming. MP Brendan Hanley also said "we have to talk about the bigger picture." He went on to list mental health supports for youth and adults, harm reduction services for those using drugs, treatment options in community, including land-based healing, and post-rehabilitation aftercare as resources that could help turn the tide. Hanley said "there is no one clear defined pathway" for addressing the issue, but that any solution will require collaboration between the Vuntut Gwitchin government, the Yukon and federal governments, RCMP, and Air North, the airline that serves Old Crow. He also suggested the territorial government has a role to play "as the operator of all public airports in the Yukon." Neither the territorial, federal, or Vuntut Gwitchin government would provide specifics on what actions or meetings are currently taking place to address the issue. The First Nation has said that safer-use supplies are available at the Old Crow Health and Wellness Centre.
