Organizers of the Naloxone training recent say they are looking to provide more sessions in a bid to help people be more comfortable with administrering the life saving medication. (Chelsea Cavanagh/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Chelsea Cavanagh

OVERDOSE PREVENTION

‘It saves lives:’ Nanaimo block watch pushing for free Naloxone training

Feb 17, 2023 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — Residents in the city are taking initiative to increase their life-saving skills.

Two Naloxone training sessions were hosted by a local block watch and the St. Peters Church on Wednesday, Feb. 15, with help from Vancouver Island University nursing students.

Karen James, captain of the block watch on a nearby section of Machleary and Kennedy St., said the idea was brought up at their most recent neighbourhood meeting.

“We’re always concerned about how to help people if they’re in crisis and some of the neighbours and members decided ‘well maybe we should learn about the Naloxone training’ and that was just one way to support people that might need it that are around our neighbourhood.”

The morning session had nine people learn how to safely deliver the opioid-reversing drug, while the evening session attracted twelve more.

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Each participant received their own “mock kit” to practice administering the drug. (Chelsea Cavanagh/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Carri Emerick, co-captain of the block watch, said it was an enlightening experience.

“Of course it’s scary trying to envision ever having to use it but I’m glad that at least I have the training and I have a kit so, I hope I never have to use but at least I feel a bit more confident that I could do it.”

Emerick said she believes everyone should have training in administering Naloxone, as the need for it is becoming more common.

Nanaimo and the central Vancouver Island region saw a record number of fatalities linked to the toxic drug crisis in 2022.

“We’re obviously in the middle of this, COVID was a epidemic but this is also actually a really true epidemic in terms of the amount of people we’re losing everyday.”

Mary Anne Moloney, a nursing instructor at VIU who assisted the training said this type of education is more important now than ever.

“It’s a basic first aid skill now, unfortunately.”

Moloney added that knowing how to use Naloxone can be crucial in more situations than people think and is not just limited to those with substance use challenges.

“It could be somebody who forgot they had already taken their pain medication, or somebody who’s just had a surgery and they’re taking their medication as prescribed but they’re super sensitive to it…or somebody who’s out at a party and they think they’te taking cocaine and they dont know it’s laced with fentanyl or something.”

She said the training helps people feel more confident in their ability to help.

Shelter manager Kevan Griffith said his clients are aware of the steps the neighbourhood is taking to help keep them alive.

“They can’t get clean and sober if they’re dead. These guys (the neighbourhood) care about you enough to take their time to take a course, maybe we should think about how we treat their neighbourhood. So it’s a win-win thing.”

Training involves injecting Naloxone into oranges. Some equipment can be reused if someone wants to try again.

Griffith said the nursing students walk you through the entire process, including how to safely secure the syringe after the injection.

The training sessions are open to anyone, and the Naloxone kits are provided and are free at most pharmacies and healthcare facilities across the Island.

He said he plans on holding more of these sessions in the future, and is willing to expand the training to other communities or schools if the demand is there.

Oranges are used as part of the training, allowing repeated attempts to perfect technique. (Chelsea Cavanagh/NanaimoNewsNOW)

— with files from Jordan Davidson

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