On a day when Nova Scotians are honoring loved ones who have died because of an overdose the provincial government announced they will be delaying the life saving naloxone distribution program. This program was one of the few interventions that had a specific timeline in Nova Scotia’s Opioid Action Plan released in July. GPDOTS is… Continue reading While policy makers in Nova Scotia talk people continue to die
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.
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.
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
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
I am often asked what my thoughts are on the “fentanyl epidemic” and what impact it will have on Nova Scotia so here it is: Fentanyl is of great concern due to its potency and accessibility vs other prescription opioids. The healthcare system created a huge market of opioid dependant people which organize crime is… Continue reading Illicit Fentanyl’s confirmed arrival in Nova Scotia
In the first 9 months of 2015 fentanyl killed 215 Albertans. Public health officials, enforcement, and government have sounded the alarm , created task forces, and public awareness campaigns. The sudden spike in fentanyl related deaths has put pressure on the government to make naloxone more accessible, often described as the “fentanyl antidote” in media reports… Continue reading We have an opioid epidemic not a fentanyl epidemic.
In March 2011 I lost my younger brother Josh to an accidental overdose of hydromorphone. I started raising awareness regarding the prescription drug epidemic, more specifically opioids in my local community. This was the birth of Get Prescription Drugs off the Street (GPDOTS) and began my mission to bring awareness, education, and accountability to the… Continue reading The opioid epidemic – So you want to talk about personal responsibility?
Why do we need a Prescription Drug Drop Off Day? I believe that is the real question that should be asked. Why is there a need for people to empty their medicine cabinets once a year and turn over thousands of unused prescription medications? Could it be that physicians are over prescribing or prescribing unnecessary… Continue reading Why do we need a Prescription Drug Drop off Day?
Today in the Chronicle Herald there was an article titled : STEPHENSON: Nova Scotia doctors need to confront prescription drug abuse. While it is nice to see the prescription drug use epidemic acknowledged and reported on, there were some serious flaws in Dr. Gus Grants comments. First of all , saying the N.S. Prescription Monitoring… Continue reading Response to : STEPHENSON: Nova Scotia doctors need to confront prescription drug abuse, Chronicle Herald
Get Prescription Drugs Off The Street Society 