Grey Bruce Public Health and local police detachments are hoping to raise more awareness regarding overdoses during the holidays.
The goal is to distribute potentially life-saving information on recognizing and responding to an opioid overdose/poisoning issue in the area.
Police will hand out information cards during Festive R.I.D.E. program stops in December, which include signs of an overdose and instructions to call 911 immediately and wait for emergency responders. The cards also show how to administer Naloxone if available.
The cards also list the names of common types of opioids and contain information on the Good Samaritan Act and where people can pick up a Naloxone kit, which can rapidly and temporarily reverse an opioid overdose.
The following police services will be distributing the information cards:
Grey-Bruce OPP
South Bruce OPP
Collingwood-Blue Mountains OPP
Owen Sound Police Service
West Grey Police Service
Saugeen Shores Police Service
Hanover Police Service
Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation Police.
“The drug toxicity and opioid crisis is a complex, multi-faceted issue that necessitates and warrants a multi-level community response,” shared Monica Blair, Manager of Grey Bruce Public Health’s Harm Reduction Program. “All levels of government, community organizations, first responders, and the general public each have a role to play to save lives, reduce opioid-related harms, and address this crisis. We are thankful that all local police services in Grey-Bruce have agreed to collaborate with Public Health to help spread opioid awareness messaging to the general public this holiday season.”
