Hamilton fire and police waiting on green light to use naloxone kits

As early as next week both Hamilton Fire and Hamilton Police could be given the green light to use naloxone kits when responding to drug overdoses.

Hamilton Fire crews already have naloxone kits on their trucks and they’ve been trained to use them.

“For the safety of firefighters alone we carry naloxone kits, nasal kits. If a firefighter is exposed to a drug and is suffering the effects of a drug overdose, we have the ability to deliver it to ourselves” said Stan Double, President of the Hamilton Professional Firefighters Association.

But they are still waiting for the okay to deliver it to the public.

“Things don’t happen overnight. We’re certainly prepared to work with the fire department, the city and councillors to ensure this critical service can be put in place.”

Last year Hamilton Fire responded to more than 200 drug overdose calls. In many cases they’re first on scene which is why it makes sense to have naloxone kits on their trucks.

So far this year, Public Health has distributed more than 350 naloxone kits as part of their harm reduction program. It equates to saving more than 80 lives.

Currently, Hamilton Police officers aren’t equipped with naloxone kits, but that too may change.

In the past, police say they believe the life-saving drug should be handled by paramedics. Cost was also a factor until the province stepped-in. The SIU- Ontario’s police watchdog- says if naloxone is administered by a police officer they will be investigated.

“They want to do the right thing. They’re going to do the right thing, but this throws a wrench into just acting and doing what’s best right then and there.” said Clint Twolan with the Hamilton Police.

At a time when Hamilton’s opioid death rate exceeds the provincial average, emergency responders agree, it’s time for a change. Hamilton Fire will present their case to the board of health for approval on Monday.

Poice say they will speak about naloxone on Thursday at the Police Services board meeting.