Naloxone kits have been well distributed among Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 drug using population, but it香蕉视频直播檚 still important to call to 911 in the case of an overdose, say BC paramedics.
香蕉视频直播淥ften we see naloxone kits are being used but they香蕉视频直播檙e just one small part of the care that these people need,香蕉视频直播� said Don Hunt, a BC Ambulance Service unit chief in Kelowna.
Naloxone can be relatively short-acting compared to the drug they香蕉视频直播檝e taken and once it wears off, he said, there香蕉视频直播檚 a good chance the risk of an overdose remains.
香蕉视频直播淭his is especially the case with the stronger drugs on the street,香蕉视频直播� Hunt said.
These drugs, like fentanyl and carfentanil, he said, have changed everything but the service paramedics are there to provide.
香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 a thought that people are afraid to call us because they香蕉视频直播檙e scared they香蕉视频直播檙e going to get in trouble,香蕉视频直播� said Hunt.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e not the police, we香蕉视频直播檙e there to help people. If someone thinks they are having an overdose, please call.香蕉视频直播�
The number of overdoses rose dramatically in November 2016 and have yet to really subside.
For Kelowna there were 94 overdose calls in November, 51 in December, 87 in January and 82 in February.
These numbers account for everything from someone who has taken too much medication to someone who has taken an illicit drug. The latter is likely cause for the spike in calls.
Since the volume of overdoses have increased, so too has the demand on resources.
In Kelowna, BC Ambulance Services put an extra unit on the street to deal with the crisis.
The volume of calls has also challenged paramedics personally, though Hunt said they香蕉视频直播檙e handling it well despite the fact its so different from case to case.
One thing he香蕉视频直播檚 noticed is that the overdoses aren香蕉视频直播檛 affecting one specific population.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e going to calls for people from all walks of life in all parts of town,香蕉视频直播� he said.
香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 an increase in the number of young people overdosing and there香蕉视频直播檚 also an increase among older people 香蕉视频直播� it香蕉视频直播檚 across the board.香蕉视频直播�
