How will police handle fentanyl antidote?

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – In the midst of a public health emergency in this province, the federal government has taken a unique step to help stop the misuse of opioids.

Ottawa has signed off to allow the fentanyl antidote naloxone to be used in Canada in a nasal spray form. The drug, which helps stops the effects of opiate overdoses, had until now only been available in injectable form, something Vancouver Police had said their officers would not use.

Constable Brian Montague says they’re open to the spray form, but don’t expect them to get their hands on it just yet. “There are still a few hurdles that we have to overcome, some details that need to be ironed out. We’re likely still a few months away from actually seeing any of our officers potentially carrying this drug.”

“There are a number of conversations we have to have. Obviously, we have to figure out what officers are going to carry it, what sort of training do they need, who’s going to provide that training, who are we actually going to be purchasing the drug from? We’ll have to have conversations with our partners in Vancouver Fire Rescue, BC Ambulance — conversations with the IIO, there are a number of things that need to be done first, but we’ll get through those.”

Ottawa says the approval of the drug is only temporary while it’s reviewed.

“First responders, police and family members need immediate access to formats of naloxone that are easy to use so that needless deaths can be prevented. Extraordinary measures are required to address this crisis, so I have asked my department to conduct an expedited review of nasal naloxone for sale in Canada, and to enact this temporary measure that allows access to a product from the US while our review is underway,” says Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott.

Fentanyl is responsible for hundreds of deaths in BC so far this year.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today