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Julie Vail tells her son Tyrell’s story after losing him to an opioid overdose

Tyrell would go to the doctor to ask for help and he would come out with some other type of medication. He would overdose but the doctors would send him home with another prescription. I wish I knew that these types of drugs were on the streets. By the time I realized what I was dealing with Tyrells addiction had taken a hold of him.

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Advocate for Action on the Opioid Crisis – Halifax Event Update 

On July 19th the Nova Scotia government released their Opioid Action Plan just days before our event. The announcement included a commitment to offering free naloxone at Nova Scotia pharmacies by September 2017 and monthly reporting of opioid overdose deaths. These developments have addressed some of our requests in our event platform and it is… Continue reading Advocate for Action on the Opioid Crisis – Halifax Event Update 

Opinions

Nova Scotia needs help not hype to address the opioid crisis.

  A press conference was held with Chief Medical Officer of Health Robert Strang today in Nova Scotia to announce the arrival of carfentanil on the streets. While it is nice to see an effort to educate the public on the new and highly dangerous opioid, the messaging could have been more effective if they… Continue reading Nova Scotia needs help not hype to address the opioid crisis.

Events · Uncategorized

Advocate For Action On The Opioid Crisis Event

    Join us in creating awareness and advocating for action on the many facets of the opioid crisis. Bring a sign, photo of a loved one, or simply yourself to help us bring attention to this important public health issue. We will be located at Robie, Quinpool, Cogswell and Bell Road Intersection portion of… Continue reading Advocate For Action On The Opioid Crisis Event

Letters To Government · Opinions

Big Pharma’s role in the opioid epidemic is the elephant in the room no politician wants to talk about.

G.P.D.O.T.S. has written numerous letters to government over the last six years on a wide variety of topics related to the opioid epidemic. We almost always receive some sort of response whether its a standard “thanks for your letter and we will be in touch” or a more meaningful and genuine reply to discuss the… Continue reading Big Pharma’s role in the opioid epidemic is the elephant in the room no politician wants to talk about.

Opinions

Nova Scotia still has lots of work to do in addressing the opioid epidemic

On March 10th the Nova Scotia provincial government announced an additional $1.1 million in funding to help address the opioid epidemic. Myself and other families who have been impacted by the epidemic were pleased to see these funds were being used to expand access to government funded naloxone as well as increased funding to three… Continue reading Nova Scotia still has lots of work to do in addressing the opioid epidemic

Letters To Government · Uncategorized

An open letter to Alberta Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman regarding the opioid crisis

Dear Minister Hoffman, As you know the opioid epidemic is impacting communities in Alberta and across Canada. As of October 2016 in Edmonton there were more overdose deaths related to prescription opioids than fentanyl although the opioid epidemic is often still framed as simply the fentanyl epidemic. After reading the third and partial fourth quarter… Continue reading An open letter to Alberta Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman regarding the opioid crisis

Opinions

Response to the article: Naloxone kits yet to be widely distributed to Edmonton Police officers commission hears

Response to the article: Naloxone kits yet to be widely distributed to Edmonton Police officers commission hears http://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/naloxone-kits-yet-to-be-widely-distributed-to-edmonton-police-officers-commission-hears In 2011 I lost my brother Josh to an accidental prescription opioid overdose. It continues to that shock me how naloxone is often only referenced in connection to fentanyl overdoses. Naloxone is effective for all opioid overdoses,… Continue reading Response to the article: Naloxone kits yet to be widely distributed to Edmonton Police officers commission hears