June 19, 2020
Province Doubles Access to Take-Home Naloxone Kits
The Manitoba government is investing up to $200,000 to double the access to naloxone kits, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen announced today.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has added extra stress to the daily life of all Manitobans and it is magnified in the lives of those at risk of an opioid overdose,” said Friesen. “They may be experiencing the effects of social distancing, self-isolation, changes to health-care service access, changing drug trends and increased stress responses. Allowing people to receive two kits at a time will reduce travel to naloxone distribution sites, increase resources in the community and help people address social distancing requirements.”
The minister noted the investment is part of the collaborative COVID-19 response to support people who are homeless, accessing shelters and using substances. This collaboration includes federal partners, regional health authorities and approximately 100 different community-based organizations that have come together to address a variety of issues including mental health and addictions in Manitoba.
“Providing support for and addressing issues related to mental health and addictions remains our government’s priority,” said Friesen. “We’re committed to investing in projects, programs and services to support Manitobans living with a substance use disorder.”
Naloxone is used as an antidote to an opioid overdose. It temporarily reverses the life-threatening slowed breathing from an opioid overdose.
In the first three months of 2020, more than 1,315 kits were sent to distribution sites.
As of Dec. 31, 2019, there were 104 take-home naloxone registered sites across the province including in all five health regions and in 27 First Nations. Between January 2017 and December 2019, 4,365 take-home naloxone kits were distributed to registered sites for people at risk of opioid overdose.
From January 2017 to July 2019, there were 200 kits reported to have been used in the community during overdose events.
For more information on where to access a take-home naloxone kit, visit:
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