Take-home overdose kits now available to inmates
Providing take-home naloxone kits to Saskatchewan federal inmates is a “step in the right direction,” addictions expert Dr. Peter Butt said.
“Not only is it evidencebased, but it’s directed towards the safety of individuals and communities so that we have hopefully fewer opioid overdoses occurring within a population that’s already been identified as vulnerable,” he said.
Naloxone is a drug that can stop an overdose from opioids such as fentanyl, morphine, heroin, methadone and oxycodone. The kits are available in certain pharmacies in Saskatoon, Regina, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Yorkton and Kamsack, according to the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan.
A federal program to provide naloxone kits to inmates came to Saskatchewan in June, Correctional Service Canada spokeswoman Lori Halfper said in an email.
The program began in early November 2016 at Fraser Valley Institution for Women and CSC aims to expand it into the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
“This take-home Naloxone program is of greatest interest to inmates on opiate substitution therapy, those with a documented opiate addiction, those who have had a previous overdose or those at risk of an overdose,” she said in a statement.
“However, the program is not restricted to these groups. CSC will provide health teaching to inmates who are interested in participating in the initiative. Participants will learn how to prevent an overdose, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of overdose, and how to administer Naloxone to prevent overdose death.”
The kits contain single use safety needles and single use ampoules, which maximize safety and don’t contribute to potential ongoing substance misuse among offenders while in the community, she said.
Butt said that when inmates return to the community they’re at increased risk of relapse due to the new triggers they face, as well as overdose due to their lack of tolerance.
Once the person survives an overdose they can receive the care they need and transition to supported long term recovery, he said.
Naloxone kits are available within provincial facilities but the province does not provide take-home kits, Saskatchewan justice ministry spokesman Noel Busse said.
“However, we’re exploring how to best provide take-home kits and accompanying education on how to use the take-home kits to former offenders in situations where it might be appropriate,” he said.