Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/ Nov.14, 2022
November 20 to 26 is National Addictions Awareness Week. This week is an opportunity to shine a light on how “Communities of Caring” across the country are helping the people in their region with problematic substance use.
As part of our efforts to raise awareness about the impact of addictions on individuals, families, and communities, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is promoting the use of Naloxone.
Having Naloxone on hand can help save someone in our community (#SAVEsomeoneHPE). With increased rates of suspected drug poisonings in the area, these efforts aim to raise public awareness and decrease stigma towards people who use drugs.
Overdose can happen to anyone, including people who use street drugs, people experimenting with drugs for the first time, and people who use a prescription incorrectly. Substance use disorders can affect anyone. Addiction and mental health disorders are complex, and are impacted by a variety of factors often outside of an individual’s control. It is important that people with substance use disorders are treated with the same dignity and respect as those experiencing any other health issue.
Learn how to use Naloxone:
HPEPH will be providing free Naloxone training and Naloxone kits:
Tuesday, November 15
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Quinte Mall (near Sportchek)
390 N Front St., Belleville
Naloxone is a medication that supports breathing, it does not support addiction. It works by temporarily stopping an overdose caused by drugs containing opioids. Opioid drugs include heroin, morphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, codeine and methadone.
For those who can’t attend the training at the mall, free Naloxone kits are available at all HPEPH branch offices and at many HPEC locations, including pharmacies. For a list of locations where Naloxone is available, visit hpepublichealth.ca/safer-drug-use.
Find out more about the harm reduction services offered by HPEPH at hpePublicHealth.ca/harm-reduction.
If you must use drugs alone, use an overdose prevention service such as the National Overdose Prevention Services 1-888-688- 6677 or Grenfell Ministries Overdose Prevention Line 1-888-853-8542.
National Overdose Response Service (NORS) also provides information about several other crisis lines at www.nors.ca.
Resources:
Save Someone – zip file with 6 posters
-30-
For more information contact:
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
We invite community partners and residents to share this Media Release with their respective networks.
