Front line emergency works hold barbeque, offers free naloxone training
There were 460 people that died of a drug overdose in Saskatchewan last year, prompting calls for more action to address drug overdose emergencies.
On Friday, front line emergency workers held a free barbeque in Victoria Park then offered life saving
naloxone training to participants.
“It can really save a person's life so if someone is having an overdose, you can make the difference and I'm really happy to be here today and learning how to do that," said Sarah Turnbull, who received naloxone training after the barbeque.
In all, over 60 people left with naloxone kits that they can administer to overdose victims that they may encounter.
"Giving them instructions on how to administer it. If they see anybody they believe is having an opiod overdose, even if they are not having an opiod overdose, it's still okay to administer it because its not going to affect them," explained Tasha Acoose, peer support for Aids Programs South Saskatchewan.
The event was held jointly with Regina's Overdose Outreach Team which pairs a fire department paramedic with a health authority worker.
"I mean, we certainly do carry naloxone with us in our vehicle for the off chance that we do encounter someone who is experiencing an overdose but that's not our primary role,” said Shannon Jolly, a mental health clinician for the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
The team has been in operation for two years. It has offered assistance to hundreds of surviving overdose victims following release from hospital.
"Once we receive a referral, within 72 hours, we are going to follow up with that individual and try and get them connected to service to try and prevent another overdose," said Bryan Looker, with the Regina Fire and Protective Services.
Quick action on the frontline is a crucial first step in saving those who are in the midst of an overdose. Now, a growing team of volunteers are equipped to step in.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Federal government to further limit number of international students
The federal government will be further limiting the number of international students permitted to enter Canada next year. It's the government's latest immigration-related measure to address Canadians' ongoing housing and affordability concerns.
Search for suspect in Kentucky highway shooting ends with discovery of body believed to be his
Authorities say they believe the body of a man suspected of shooting and wounding five people on a Kentucky interstate highway has been found.
Here's why you should get all your vaccines as soon as possible
With all these shots, some Canadians may have questions about the benefit of each vaccine, whether they should get every shot and how often to get them, and if it's safe to get them all at once or if they should space them out.
Bloc MPs will vote confidence in Liberal government next week: Blanchet
The Conservatives' first shot at toppling the Liberal government is likely doomed to fail, after Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters his MPs will vote confidence in the government.
'I'm here for the Porsche': Video shows brazen car theft in Mississauga
Video of a brazen daylight auto theft which shows a suspect running over a victim in a stolen luxury SUV has been released by police west of Toronto.
Exploding electronic devices kill 20, wound 450 in second day of explosions in Lebanon
Lebanon's health ministry said Wednesday that at least 20 people were killed and 450 others wounded by exploding electronic devices in multiple regions of the country. The explosions came a day after an apparent Israeli attack targeting pagers used by Hezbollah killed at least 12 and wounded nearly 3,000.
'It starts off innocent': Manitoba man loses $185,000 to crypto-romance scam
A Manitoba man is warning others after he fell victim to an elaborate online scam over the summer.
Teen faces new charge in Sask. high school arson attack
A 14-year-old student who allegedly set her classmate on fire is facing a new charge.
Quebec woman charged with first-degree murder in death of five-year-old boy
A 29-year-old Quebec woman is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of a five-year-old boy southwest of Montreal.