Pubdate: Sat, 27 Aug 2016
Source: Prince George Citizen (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Prince George Citizen
Contact:  http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/350
Author: Samantha Wright Allen
Page: 3

FIREFIGHTERS SEEKING OK TO CARRY OVERDOSE TREATMENT

Prince George firefighters could soon be carrying a life-saving drug
to help reverse opioid overdoses if the request passes council Monday.

Fire Chief John Iverson will ask councillors to approve a new
agreement that grants his members the ability to administer naloxone.

The agreement with B.C. Emergency Health Services builds off changes
to Health Canada legislation in January 2016 to open naloxone
treatment up to opioid emergencies outside hospital settings.

Prince George, like the rest of the province, is grappling with a
spike in overdoses and deaths with the presence of potent fentanyl in
the market. The B.C. Coroners Service reported a 74 per cent increase
in drug overdose deaths between January and July this year compared to
the same time period in 2015.

By the end of June, nine deaths in Prince George showed traces of
fentanyl, up from seven the year before.

"Due to the recent significant rise in the number of opioid
drug-related overdoses and deaths, government agencies at all levels
are taking steps to minimize the harm caused by opioid drugs and
protect public safety," the staff report said, before recommending
council approve the changes.

The report notes firefighters are already trained to offer "enhanced
on-scene emergency care" and the move would "potentially save lives in
our community."
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MAP posted-by: Matt