Overdose reversal kits will soon be available here in Thompson.

As of this week, those at risk of an opioid overdose will be able to access naloxone kits here in the city.  With fentanyl overdoses on the rise in the province, Manitoba Health is providing communities here in the north with naloxone kits to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Dr. Michael Isaac, the Medical Officer of Health for Manitoba, tells us about how the kits work.

“The kits themselves with come with 2 vials of naloxone and it will have also instructions on how to use the naloxone.   There will be a syringe in there and also  sterile needles as well.

Once naloxone is given, part of the training will be to do an assessment or re-evaluation of the person after they’re given the injection to see if they’ve had an improvement, especially in their breathing.  That’s one of the main signs that the kit has worked.”

There will be 15 kits available in Thompson as of this week.   Nurses at Thompson Public Health next to the hospital or at the Clinic in the Thompson Plaza will assess those asking for the kits and determine who’s eligible for one.    

For more on the naloxone kits, listen to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.