Pubdate: Sat, 25 Nov 2017 Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB) Copyright: 2017 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://www.winnipegsun.com/letter-to-editor Website: http://www.winnipegsun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503 Author: Candice G. Ball Let's Talk Drugs: Part 1 of a special 5-part series looking at the impact of the opioid crisis SHATTERING THE STIGMA - JESSE KOLB As a power-lifter who could bench 340 pounds, a talented guitar player, and a driven young man with a strong work ethic who bought his own house at the age of 18, Jessie Kolb defied the stereotype of a fentanyl addict. If there's one thing his parents, Arlene Last-Kolb and John Kolb, have learned about opioid addiction is that it can happen to anyone and all the preconceived notions some people have about opioid addiction just perpetuate the stigma. "If it can happen to him, it can happen to anyone," said Last-Kolb who knew next to nothing about fentanyl when her son accidentally overdosed on July 18, 2014, at the age of 24. Since her son's death, Last- Kolb has become a tireless advocate to raise awareness about opioid addiction and to lobby all levels of government for better treatment options. She believes her son would be alive today if he knew about naloxone. Naloxone is a medication that revers-es overdose caused by opi-oids. "If he knew about it, he would have had it with him." Naloxone is now readily available. Street Connections' website shows places where take-home-naloxone kits can be accessed for free. Prescription for Weight- Lifting Injury Opened Door to Addiction Jessie's addiction began following a weight-lifting injury for which he received a prescription for Percocet. Last-Kolb believes that Jessie's speech impediment, and the trauma he experienced in the school systems as a result, may have predisposed her son to addiction. As a toddler, Jessie had a difficult time learning language. His parents took him to the Child Development Clinic at Children's Hospital, where he learned signed language and received speech therapy. Last-Kolb said that if there were one thing she would do differently, she would have kept Jessie out of the school system. "He was bullied about his speech," she said. Even though Jessie completed his coursework early and did well in school, Last-Kolb did not think the school system was healthy for her son. She did volunteer at his school but she believes he would have done better with homeschooling. In 2013, Jessie overdosed on Percocet (a pain medication composed of oxycodone and acetaminophen) and Valium and had to stay in a medically induced coma to heal his lungs. During his stay at hospitals, the family learned about the stigma surrounding opioid overdose. At one hospital, Jessie told his mother that the way he was treated wasn't right. Last-Kolb stayed at his bedside and got the impression she was not welcome until he got transferred to another hospital where they had a good experience in the ICU. "One male nurse treated my son like gold. He brought me down a comfortable chair and a heated blanket," she said. "No matter what you do as a nurse or doctor, leave your judgment at home. We had a nurse who did and it made all the difference." Jessie did stay clean for one year, but his parents learned that a friend gave him an "oxy" that ended up being fentanyl and he became hooked. "It was his birthday and someone brought him something he shouldn't have," she said. "He was at a house in St. James and he was not with friends," In the end, when Jessie had a fatal overdose. his father said. "All we know for certain is that he never came home." The Good Samaritan Act Although Jessie's parents will never know what happened the night he died, they do know that if The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act had been in effect the night their son overdosed, he might have lived. John Kolb said the police told the family that the people Jessie was with had "cleaned house" and got rid of their phones. They eventually went to a neighbour's house to borrow a phone and call the police. By that time, Jessie had not been breathing for 30 minutes. Since Jessie's death, the federal government passed an Act that provides some legal protection for individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose. The act can protect you from charges for possession of a controlled substance and breach of conditions regarding simple possession. The act, which became law on May 4, 2017, protects the person who seeks help and protects anyone else who is at the scene when help arrives. The act won't bring Jessie back, but the family takes comfort in the fact that another family may not experience the tragic loss of a child. - ---------------------------------------------------------------- [sidebar] FIND HELP NOW If you or a loved one needs help with an addiction, call the Manitoba Addictions Hotline at 1-855-662-6605 or visit mbaddictionhelp.ca. You may also drop in to the River Point Centre, located at 146 Magnus Avenue, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, Addictions Recovery Inc., Behavioural Health Foundation, Esther House, Health Sciences Centre (Addiction Unit), Main Street Project, Native Addictions Council of Manitoba, The Laurel Centre, Rosaire House Addiction Centre, The Salvation Army (Anchorage Program), St. Raphael Wellness Centre, Tamarack Recovery Centre and Two Ten Recovery. The partners range from detox centres to evening, nonresidential, recovery-based programs. Links to the resources can be found on http://mbaddictionhelp.ca/ BY THE NUMBERS Opioid Deaths in Manitoba The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports on substance overdose deaths. Opioids have been a primary or contributing cause of death in approximately half of these deaths annually: 2013: 87 out of 162 deaths (54%) 2014: 94 out of 175 deaths (54%) 2015: 85 out of 182 deaths (47%) 2016 (Jan-Jun): 63 out of 124 deaths (51%) Data also shows an increase in overdose deaths where fentanyl, including the analog carfentanil, is present. Hospitalizations due to opioid poisoning (Apr 01, 2015- Mar 31, 2016): 131 Intensive care unit admissions due to suspected opioid poisoning (Jan-jun 2016): 10 (Winnipeg Health Region only) Naloxone kits distributed through the Take-home naloxone program(2016): Manitoba (total): 250 Naloxone kits shipped from provincial Materials Distribution Agency warehouse (Dec 29, 2016- Jan 27, 2017): 395 *Source: Epidemiology & Surveillance Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living, The Government of Manitoba Source: http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/surveillance/docs/summary_opioid.pdf HOW TO OBTAIN A NALOXONE KIT If you or someone you care about is at risk of opioid overdose, you may drop in to the Street Connections office at 496 Hargrave Street (Main Floor) Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and ask to see a nurse about the naloxone program. You will be trained to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to give someone naloxone. You will receive a free kit and the entire visit should take less than an hour. Street Connections' website features an interactive that shows where take-home naloxone kits can be accessed for free. Visit http://streetconnections.ca/ - --- MAP posted-by: Matt