The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit wants to raise awareness about the risks of opioids.
This comes as tomorrow is recognized as ‘International Overdose Awareness Day.’ Substance Misuse Prevention and Harm Reduction Coordinator Denise Smith says this is a perfect time to remind people that opioids, or highly powerful painkillers, can be very addictive.
Smith says there are steps you can take to reduce overdoses.
The health unit is also asking you to discourage others from using opioids alone, or mixing them with other drugs or alcohol. It’s also important to safely get rid of any unused or expired prescription medications at a pharmacy.
Those that use opioids, or have friends and family that do, are being encouraged to carry Naloxone kits, a drug which can temporarily curb the effects of an overdose. These kits are free for those with a valid health card at pharmacies and Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health’s office in Bancroft. Click here to find out where.
This comes as communities across Canada are facing what is being called an opioid crisis. Although Premier Kathleen Wynne would not consider it a public health emergency in Ontario, it is being considered a crisis. In light of that, the province has announced $222-million will be invested over three years to combat the opioid crisis. There is no word yet on how much of that funding will go to our local health unit.