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Take Home Naloxone Program In Oxford

Monday, 23 May 2016 08:16

In Oxford County, the Take Home the Naloxone Program has saved at least 5 lives from overdose.

OXFORD COUNTY - As the government pushes to make Naloxone more accessible to help curb opiate overdose deaths, a prime example of how powerful it can be is here in Oxford.

Public Health Nurse Lisa Gillespie says if the province makes this life saving substance more accessible, it could let more people intervene in the event of an overdose.

"I see probably what will happen is it gives access to Naloxone to those family members and friends that might be concerned about a loved ones opiod use - our program is only meant for those at risk, so this opens it up."

Gillespie explains how Naloxone works.

"What Naloxone does is reverses a respiratory arrest. So the person has stopped breathing so they're stimulated to breathe again. But what it will do is put the person immediately into withdrawal, so it's a deterrent to go into withdrawal so they're not going to use Naloxone as a safety net."

Gillespie adds it's also safe to use.

"There's no high to Noloxone. It's as safe as injecting water if the person is not using an opiod. There is the occasional person who might have a hypersensitivity to it, but really the worst thing about getting Noloxone if you've overdosed is going into withdrawal."

Here in Oxford 36 people have been trained as part of the Take Home the Naloxone program and at least 5 lives have been directly saved as a result.

If you believe you are at risk for an overdose and want to be trained in this program, you can contact public health to see if you are eligible.

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