Edmonton firefighters now have access to naloxone kits that can not only save overdose victims but first responders who may come into contact with deadly drugs. 

“Now firefighters across the province can administer injectable naloxone, giving them an additional life-saving tool when responding to an overdose call,” said Brandy Payne, Associate Minister of Health, at a Tuesday announcement. 

Naloxone saves lives when given immediately and followed up with emergency medical support. Injectable naloxone kits and training are being provided at no cost to first responders. However, police and fire departments remain free to make their own operational decisions about carrying and administering naloxone.

Edmonton Fire Chief Ken Block, also at the Tuesday announcement, said that the kits can also save lives of first-responders.

“The addition of naloxone to fire apparatus will enhance our service to the public and ensure our firefighters are protected in the event they come into contact with an opioid while performing their duties,” said Block. 

The province is moving ahead with several other measures to combat opioids:

-An opioid dependency treatment (ODT) clinic is set to open in Grande Prairie this spring to serve 300 patients.

-Alberta Health is publishing quarterly public reports on opioid overdose data and will begin publishing interim reports on fentanyl deaths. Alberta Health is working with indigenous groups to share information to support improved data collection and reporting.

-Grant funding of $730,000 is being provided to support agencies in several communities, including Edmonton and Calgary, working to establish supervised consumption services.

-Naloxone is being made an unscheduled drug, allowing anyone to get a kit without a prescription. This will make it easier for community agencies to provide naloxone kits.

Fentanyl and other opioids continue to have a deadly impact on Alberta communities.

Last year, 343 people died of apparent drug overdoses related to fentanyl in Alberta.  That compares to 257 in 2015. In the last three months of 2016, there were 111 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Alberta.  That compares to 81 in the previous quarter and 52 in the fourth quarter of 2015.