The Grande Prairie Primary Care Network will be hosting a free seminar to help people in the community learn to recognize and treat an overdose situation.
The city once again has the highest per capita fentanyl-related deaths in the province. According to the Q1 2019 report released by Alberta Health, 11 people died from January to April from an opioid overdose.
GPPCN Communications Specialist Judd Dowhy says the workshop will provide more than just the technical how-to education around how to use naloxone.
“What we wanted to do here is to support the work that is being done in the community and by our own opioid response coordinators and help spread the message that opioids don’t care who you are, where you live or what you do for a living, accidental opioid poisoning can happen to anyone.”
Dowhy says he understands how some people would be hesitant to ask for a naloxone kit to take home, but adds there should be no stigma felt for having a potentially life-saving tool close by.
“It’s important to know that people don’t need to provide any identifiable information or prove a risk to get a kit. The staff here will provide you with information on how to use the naloxone.”
The free of charge event will take place September 13th at the Grande Prairie Primary Care Network from 1:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.