Bar owners consider naloxone
Proactive BIA discussing antidote kits
WATERLOO — Soon-to-be bar owner Rami Said is considering buying a naloxone kit to have it on hand at his bar.
It’s something other Waterloo bar owners are considering too.
“With the overdoses in Waterloo Region, we are talking about it,” said Said, 28.
Said is set to open Patent Social, a lounge at Erb and Regina streets, in the former Viet Sun restaurant early next year.
Naloxone is the life-saving drug used for opioid overdoses.
For three years, Said owned and operated The Order, a nightclub at the corner of King and Princess streets. It closed in June.
Said, who is on the board of the Uptown Waterloo business improvement area, said carrying naloxone kits at Waterloo restaurants and bars was the topic of discussion at a recent meeting of business owners and city staff.
“It was the best attended meeting we have had for a while,” he said.
“There were a lot of questions asked.”
Top of mind were questions about liability for business owners, what an overdose looks like, and whether people can be harmed if given naloxone when they aren’t having an overdose, he said.
Said is checking with his insurance provider and lawyers as are other owners before they make a final decision.
With bars open at night and into the early morning hours, narcotics can be an issue, said Said.
Another concern was whether someone could be charged if he or she offers naloxone but the person overdosing dies.
The province passed a law that protects people who seek emergency help during an overdose and assist others who might be overdosing.
Twice a year, the City of Waterloo and the business improvement association bring together bar owners in the city to talk about issues or concerns they are experiencing, said Shayne Turner, the city’s director of municipal enforcement.
At the October meeting, a public health nurse and drug enforcement officer led the discussion about opioids and naloxone.
“The bar owners were provided the information and it’s up to them if they choose to have naloxone,” Turner said.
Grace Bermingham, a public health manager, said Region of Waterloo Public Health provides information sessions for groups or organizations wanting in-
formation on opioids as well as training on naloxone use.
Fentanyl is causing deep concern in many communities across the country.
Locally, 58 people have died of drug overdoses this year.
Waterloo Regional Police say the deadly drug fentanyl is often found laced in other drugs such as cocaine and heroin
It is a cheaper drug and often dealers mix it with more expensive drugs.
Locally, the region will get two safe injection sites.
The public health department will announce preferred locations in the new year.
The province has also announced that it will fund two rapid access addiction clinics in Kitchener and Cambridge that will be operated by the House of Friendship.