Surrey – You have the naloxone kit. You feel ready to help if you encounter someone overdosing. But are you? From August 27-31, Fraser Health is holding Overdose Response Practice Drills to promote being prepared to recognize and respond to a drug overdose. The public is invited to join an online demonstration and live chat session, where experts will answer questions and show how to respond to an overdose, including how to use naloxone.
This coming on the heels of the July 2018 Illicit OD death numbers for BC. On average, over 4 people OD and die EVERY DAY IN BC.
“We are saving lives by equipping British Columbians with the right tools and the right knowledge to respond to the overdose crisis,” said Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Judy Darcy. “This is another example of the great work happening across B.C. So far, more than 114,170 naloxone kits have been distributed, and training is available in locations across British Columbia including through community pharmacies and online.”
The online demonstration showing how to administer naloxone will be performed via live video on August 27, at 1 p.m., on Fraser Health’s Facebook page. This will be a learning opportunity for everyone – staff, partners and the general public – and provides a chance to ask questions in real time.
Since a provincial public health emergency was declared in April 2016, almost 3,000 people in British Columbia have died from illegal drug overdose. The live online video demonstration and chat starts a week of conversations and drills leading up to International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31.
