Naloxone training available in Vernon

It has played a key role in the battle against opioids , saving thousands of lives, now Interior Health is bringing Naloxone training to Vernon’s downtown core.

The workshops take place the first Wednesday of the month at the Vernon branch of the Okanagan Regional Library.

Holly Vanjoff, Overdose Prevention Knowledge Coordinator for Interior Health says participants learn how to properly use a naloxone kit, and says that people who have gone though the workshop feel less intimidated at the thought of using it .

“The feedback I get from the sessions is using Naloxone is a lot easier than I thought “.

In 2017, 769 kits were used in Vernon to reverse an opioid overdose, and in BC so far 36,214 kits were used to reverse and opioid overdose.

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She adds that that the workshop also helps reduce the stigma around drug addiction and drug overdoses.

“I think that by addressing stigma there may be a shift in beliefs which will in turn ease the shame and guilt in abusing substances.”

In 2018, the B.C Coroners Service recorded 24 fatal overdoses in the City of Vernon, that’s compared to 12 in 2016.

The workshops are free to attend and take place from 5p.m.- 6p.m. at the Okanagan Regional Library Vernon Branch.