Life-saving drug distributed by pilot program used 8 times since January

A life-saving drug that's being handed out as part of a pilot program in Winnipeg has been used on eight people who have overdosed so far this year.

Street Connections began distributing naloxone, a prescription drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, to people at risk as part of its take-home-naloxone program in January.

Shelley Marshall, a clinical nurse specialist with Street Connections, said they can't know whether the people who received the naloxone would have died from the overdose. However, people are trained to use it when a person is non-responsive or having trouble breathing.

"It could have saved up to eight lives, eight emergency visits, eight hospitalizations." said Marshall.

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More than 100 people die from overdose in Manitoba every year, according to Street Connections.

Naloxone is administrated by first responders but Marshall said people who use opiates are less likely to call 911 when a overdose occurs.

"There may be drugs on the scene and so there's a perception that police might come and arrest or have possession charges or that kind of thing," said Marshall.

So far, more than 100 naloxone kits have been distributed through the program at Street Connections.

"I think we're getting kits to the right people when almost every one in 10 is being used," said Marshall.

There's still a long way to go, she added.

"I would love to be celebrating a success but people are dying all the time and overdose is such a big problem," Marshall said.

"A lot more work needs to happen and even naloxone has to be much more available."

In British Columbia, Marshall said about 500 kits are distributed each month.

"Based on Manitoba's population we should be getting between 100 to 120 kits out per month," she said.

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People can drop in to Street Connections to inquire about the kits without an appointment but they are recommended to bring along someone for training who may be present when an overdose occurs.

Even after naloxone is used Marshall said people should call 911, or stay with the person who overdosed for at least two hours.

"The overdose can come back," she said. "The naloxone doesn't last as long as the opiates do."

Currently the naloxone pilot program is only offered through Street Connections but provincial and health officials said a working group is looking at options to distribute the kits in other parts of the province.

"We've kind of paved the way," said Marshall.

"Any sites that want to get naloxone distribution going we're happy to help them."