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International Overdose Awareness Day

Thursday, 31 August 2017 at 04:36

The Perth District Health Unit has not reported an increase in overdose deaths and they would like to keep it that way.

PERTH COUNTY - Today is International Overdose Awareness Day.

It is believed one person dies of an overdose every 12 hours in Ontario.

Jacqui Tam, a Public Health Manager with the Perth District Health Unit says the increasing amount of overdose deaths has been a national concern.

"It's something that we've certainly been seeing increased across the province of Ontario and nationally as well. Although we haven't had a lot of increases that we're aware of locally it's certainly something that we want to have on the radar."

Tam tells Heart FM the PDHU has been doing everything they can to prevent an overdose spike in Perth County.

"Our Harm Reduction Team has been distributing Naloxone which is also known as Narcan and it's a medication that can stop an overdose. We have made that available because when given either by injection or there also is an inter-nasal version of Naloxone it can stop and reverse an overdose."

The health unit does offer Naloxone training so you know what to do in the event of an overdose.

The Harm Reduction Team at the Health Unit also distributes clean syringes and needles and safer inhalation supplies. Community Sharps Disposal Units have been set up in Stratford for the disposal of dirty needles and other sharp objects.

If you would like more information you can visit the Perth District Health Unit at 653 West Gore Street in Stratford, call 519-271-7600 using the extension 704 or visit their website.
 

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