Over the past five years, the number of naloxone kits, which serve as a potent antidote to opioid overdoses, has nearly quadrupled in the Capitale-Nationale region. However, many users still remain unaware of the drug, and it continues to be hard to obtain, especially in more remote areas of Quebec City, according to various organizations.
In 2018, the Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre (CIUSSS) of the Capitale-Nationale distributed 1,504 naloxone kits to different organizations and pharmacies in the region.
Last year, that number surged to 5,830 kits distributed across over a hundred service points in the area.
The SABSA solidarity cooperative, which provides naloxone kits, expresses satisfaction with this remarkable increase.
The cooperative is happy to see that naloxone is becoming more prevalent in the community. The awareness efforts among the population have yielded positive results, says its general manager, Amélie Bédard.
Distribution of naloxone kits in the Quebec region from 2018-2023
YearNumber of kits distributed202358302022514920214358202035972019298920181504Total23,427
Source: CIUSSS of the National Capital
Still Unfamiliar
Despite this increase, naloxone remains hard to access in the outskirts of Quebec.
In more isolated regions, community organizations are fewer, and there are fewer individuals available to assist those in need, acknowledged Dr. Anne-Frédérique Lambert-Slythe, a public health and preventive medicine specialist at CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, during her interview on the program Première heure on August 13.
In these areas, naloxone rarely attracts interest, even as it becomes more accessible.
In Baie-Saint-Paul, for instance, the Vision d’espoir de sobriété organization is struggling to distribute its kits.
In the city, we hear so much about it. It’s everywhere. There are people on every street corner. Here, we don’t see it. People lack the information, expresses Maude Gauthier, an addiction counselor at Vision d’espoir de sobriété.
The organization has been providing kits for nearly three years and currently has 18 available. Many of them expire and are returned to CIUSSS due to a lack of demand.
Information remains crucial for success, emphasizes Ms. Gauthier.
People are often misinformed or simply not informed. During the Baie-Saint-Paul festival, some people asked for naloxone, but only in relation to cocaine use, she adds.
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Naloxone can be administered nasally (File photo).
Photo: Radio-Canada / Jean Delisle
Roxane Langlois, service coordinator and clinical assistant for the organization l’Arc-en-Ciel, which operates in Portneuf, also believes that the lack of information impedes naloxone usage.
It’s still not very well-known, so people don’t come to collect it. We distribute some, but not a lot, explains the coordinator.
While the situation differs from that in Quebec, Maude Gauthier, an addiction worker, argues that the needs in the regions are equally significant.
We don’t know who is using, but there are far more than we realize, she notes.
Long Distances
The few service points are also often quite distant from one another. Most of them are located in downtown Quebec City and its surrounding areas. Conversely, just outside Quebec City, for instance, Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury has only one location offering the kits.
In Portneuf, the distances to cover can be considerable, which may discourage some individuals from acquiring a kit.
If someone has to drive 20-30 minutes to pick up a naloxone kit, I know they probably won’t come because it’s too far from home, Roxane Langlois believes.
Over the past year, the Arc-en-Ciel organization distributed fewer than twenty kits, according to the coordinator. This indicates that it’s not widely recognized.
Isabelle Bilodeau, a pharmacist at the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), concurs that health networks, governments, and communities must intensify efforts to demystify and promote the antidote.
The more we discuss it within the community, the more people will recognize its existence and understand that it poses no threat, she asserts.
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone is an antidote designed for individuals experiencing opioid overdoses.
The drug restores breathing by reversing or blocking the effects of opioids for a limited duration, explains Isabelle Bilodeau.
Naloxone will effectively occupy the same receptors as opioids and prevent them from taking their primary effect. This allows valuable time for medical assistance to arrive, she states.
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A naloxone kit.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Anne-Sophie Roy
It has no effect on overdoses caused by other drugs. However, Isabelle Bilodeau recommends its usage in any situation since the antidote is without risk.
When in doubt, we strongly encourage people to administer naloxone regardless of the circumstances, as it can save lives, the pharmacist adds.
The expert reminds us that naloxone is provided free of charge to all individuals aged 14 and older.
The Rise of Naloxone Kits in Capitale-Nationale: A Vital Resource Against Opioid Overdose
In the last five years, the availability of naloxone kits, a powerful antidote for opioid overdoses, has seen a remarkable increase in the Capitale-Nationale region of Quebec. Despite this surge in distribution, many potential users remain unaware of its existence and face significant barriers in accessing it, particularly in remote areas of Quebec City.
According to the Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre (CIUSSS) of the Capitale-Nationale, the number of naloxone kits distributed grew from 1,504 in 2018 to an impressive 5,830 in 2023. This growth signifies the region’s strong commitment to combatting the opioid crisis through education and accessibility.
Distribution of Naloxone Kits in the Quebec Region (2018-2023)
| Year | Number of Kits Distributed |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,504 |
| 2019 | 2,989 |
| 2020 | 3,972 |
| 2021 | 4,358 |
| 2022 | 5,149 |
| 2023 | 5,830 |
Source: CIUSSS of the National Capital
Persistent Awareness Challenges
While these statistics are promising, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Naloxone remains relatively unknown to many potential users. Dr. Anne-Frédérique Lambert-Slythe from the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale expressed concern during an interview, noting that remote areas have fewer community organizations and resources, which hampers awareness and access to naloxone kits.
In Baie-Saint-Paul, the Vision d’espoir de sobriété organization struggles to distribute naloxone kits due to a lack of information among the local population. “We talk about it so much in the city, but here, people don’t have the information they need,” states addiction counselor Maude Gauthier.
The kits frequently expire before they are claimed. “Information remains the key to success,” emphasizes Gauthier, highlighting the importance of raising awareness about naloxone.
Geographic Barriers
Accessibility is further complicated by geographical factors. In many remote regions, the distance to the nearest service points is considerable, discouraging individuals from obtaining naloxone. “If someone needs to drive 20-30 minutes to pick up a naloxone kit, they often won’t make the trip,” explains Roxane Langlois of the Arc-en-Ciel organization in Portneuf.
The data supports Langlois’s claims, with organizations noting that fewer than twenty kits were distributed in the past year due to limited awareness and accessibility.
Understanding Naloxone
Naloxone is an essential medical tool that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by restoring normal breathing in affected individuals, providing critical time for medical help to arrive. “Naloxone takes the place of opioids, blocking their effects and allowing us to stabilize the person until emergency responders arrive,” explains pharmacist Isabelle Bilodeau.
It is crucial to note that naloxone is safe and can be administered even in uncertain situations. “If in doubt, administer naloxone. It can save lives,” suggests Bilodeau, advocating for making naloxone accessible to individuals aged 14 and older at no cost.
Benefits of Naloxone
- Life-Saving Potential: Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose, making it an essential tool for individuals at risk.
- Non-Harmful: It poses no known risk to individuals who are not experiencing opioid overdoses, making it safe to administer.
- Accessibility: Naloxone kits are available free for those aged 14 and over, encouraging their distribution in communities.
Practical Tips for Accessing Naloxone
- Locate Service Points: Use local health directories to find the nearest naloxone distribution sites.
- Educate Yourself: Understand the signs of an opioid overdose and how naloxone works to reverse it.
- Engage with Community Programs: Participate in local outreach programs that provide information and kits.
Case Studies and User Experiences
Several community organizations are actively working to promote awareness of naloxone in their areas. For instance, in Portneuf, the Arc-en-Ciel organization is conducting education sessions to familiarize residents with naloxone use and distribution. These grassroots efforts have been critical in bridging the information gap in rural regions, as evidenced by positive feedback from local participants who attended workshops.
Additionally, user testimonials highlight instances where naloxone has successfully reversed overdoses, reinforcing its importance as a frontline defense against opioid fatalities.
Conclusion
While the availability of naloxone kits in the Capitale-Nationale region has significantly increased over the past five years, overcoming awareness and access challenges in rural areas is essential for maximizing the impact of this life-saving drug. Enhanced education and community engagement initiatives can play a vital role in ensuring that naloxone becomes a recognized and readily available resource for those who need it most.
