More people hospitalized for opioids than fatal car crashes: CIHI report

When you witness a car crash, most of us know to call 911 or have some type of first aid training – but what would you do if you saw someone experiencing an overdose?

A new report from Statistics Canada shows 76 per cent of Canadians are prepared for crashes, while only 7 per cent of us know how to obtain and administer Naloxone.

Those numbers become even more alarming, as The Canadian Institute for Health Information says more people were rushed to the hospital for opioids than for fatal car crashes in 2016-2017.

Allison Tario is a Pharmacist and Instructor at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, and calls the statistic striking.

“More people are dying from drug overdoses at this point in Ontario than we see dying in car crashes – and I think that just puts into light the magnitude of this crisis. When you make the comparison to car crashes – people know what to do, or how to administer basic first aid. To me – Naloxone is an available antidote that can help save someone’s life in an opioid overdose, and it should be in every first aid kit. It’s just about generating awareness that anyone can do it, anyone can help recognize an overdose, and anyone can help save someone in an emergency situation.”

Tario says Naloxone is an emergency antidote for opioid overdoses – including drugs like morphine, codeine, hydromorphone, fentanyl, and heroin.

“It’s available in both an injectable and very easy-to-use nasal spray form – and it’s free at a number of different places in Ontario. That includes pharmacies, public health centres, and a few community organizations as well.”

Tario adds they are working hard on increasing access to Naloxone across Ontario, as there has been an increase in demand.

“When the programs first launched – we did find it was a little bit slow in terms of uptake, especially at community pharmacies. But as people are becoming much more aware of this problem, they are asking for it more. We have a lot of people that are coming in asking for it for their home if they have children or grandchildren that may be experimenting with drugs, or know someone with an opioid prescription. So we’ve seen a lot more people asking for it from a first aid/safety perspective.”

Tario says opioid overdoses do not discriminate, and the same goes for addiction – and that’s why it’s important to be prepared.

“There are a number of people that could be at risk of an opioid overdose, even if they think they have never used an opioid drug. If you use marijuana, or have teenagers that experiment – things like Carfentanil and fentanyl have no smell or taste – so someone can be exposed to them without even knowing it, or having any tolerance. So it can be a recipe for an instant overdose.”

When it comes to handing out opioid prescriptions, Tario says there has been a shift over the last few years.

“As we’ve learned more about these drugs and their potential dangers, there has definitely been a shift towards lower doses for shorter periods of time. The reality is that opioids are still good drugs for pain for people that really need them, but physicians, pharmacists, and our whole healthcare community are trying to be a lot more careful about who uses them, and for how long.”

Tario says if you want a Naloxone kit – go out and get one. She adds there are a few ways to do that, including talking to a community pharmacist.

“If they say they don’t have Naloxone in stock, encourage them to start dispensing it – and find a way to get that drug. It really is a life-saving medication for someone – it could be you, could be a loved one, or could be a stranger that you come across that needs your help. It’s a great life-saving option.”

You can see a list of participating Ontario pharmacies by clicking here, and learn more about local harm reduction and support services by clicking here.