‘A life-saving tool’: More people carrying naloxone to help strangers on the street – CTV
July 3, 2023
Kym Porter has been carrying a naloxone kit in her purse since her son died of an overdose more than six years ago.
Porter, a retired school teacher in Medicine Hat, Alta., was trained to use both the syringe and nasal versions of the overdose reversal drug, but never ran into an emergency situation until May.
“I saw this fellow lying under a tree and he wasn’t moving,” Porter said.
She approached the man, looked for any drug paraphernalia, called out to him and shook his shoulders. No response.
Porter dialed first responders and reached for her naloxone kit.
“But for some reason, I don’t know why, I hesitated,” she said. “I didn’t administer it.”
Emergency crews arrived and brought back the man, who confirmed to her that he had overdosed.
Naloxone kits are easily available, over-the-counter antidotes that block the effects of opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, morphine or cocaine.
