In the wake of an overdose death in Newmarket last month, and the continued rise in opioid-related overdoses here and across York Region, York Regional Police is providing free naloxone kits to anyone at risk of an opioid overdose.
Frontline officers will provide the kits on request, and they are also available at the Newmarket district police station at 429 Harry Walker Parkway South for residents in Newmarket, Aurora and King Township.
Friends and family can request a kit for a loved one, police said.
Each kit contains two doses of NARCAN nasal spray (a type of naloxone), one pair of non-latex gloves, one rescue breathing barrier, a pamphlet describing steps on how to respond to an opioid overdose and resources to support people who use substances.
Naloxone is a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, police said. Once administered, naloxone will begin to work in one to five minutes and stays active in the body for 30 to 90 minutes.
"All frontline officers in #1 District have been educated on the program, and all supervisors who will deliver the kits have been trained on the administration of naloxone," police said.
The one-year pilot project is being offered in partnership with York Region Public Health.
“This program will make it easier for members of our community at risk of an overdose to access lifesaving naloxone kits,” said Chief Jim MacSween. “Together with our partners on the opioid education and response workgroup, we are supporting a harm reduction approach to help reduce stigma and connect substance users with the community-based resources they need.”
Symptoms of an overdose include slow, irregular and shallow respirations, pinpoint pupils, muscle rigidity, seizures and unconsciousness leading to coma. Minor effects include dizziness, drowsiness, headache, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting.
For more on opioid safety, click here for a video.
