First responder-turned-MLA wants easier access to naloxone nasal spray in P.E.I.
Robin Croucher says easier access to the spray would increase confidence in using it
Naloxone nasal sprays should be more readily available in Prince Edward Island, both for first-responders and members of the public, says a backbench MLA.
Robin Croucher, the Progressive Conservative MLA for Souris-Elmira, is a captain with the Souris Fire Department and has been a paramedic for 14 years. He says he has spoken with officials from fire departments across the province who would like to be provided with the nasal spray version of naloxone, a drug that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
Currently, he said, fire departments are provided with naloxone that is administered as an intramuscular injection.
"For a lot of our firefighters who are not highly trained in this procedure, it's a very daunting task," Croucher told CBC after raising the issue in question period.
Croucher raised the question with Health Minister Mark McLane in the legislature on Tuesday, wanting him to commit to making the nasal sprays more accessible to first responders.
He also raised concerns about potential needle-stick injuries, which would be avoided by the spray version of the antidote.
McLane said the nasal sprays are provided to the RCMP and police forces in Charlottetown and Summerside. The injectable form is provided to the fire association.
"It's something we need to look at and we also need to increase our supply of naloxone across P.E.I., and access to it, because it's very important."
P.E.I. had five fentanyl-suspected overdoses over the weekend. In all cases, naloxone was given and the individuals survived.
"Many times, we're the first on scene for these emergencies, and we need to support our fire departments and make this job — that is extremely hard to begin with — much easier," Croucher said.
"It's a very important drug now for all our first responders to have. The need has grown."
Last week, the MLA also introduced a motion calling for the province to explore ways to reduce financial barriers and improve access to Naloxone spray through the province's take-home naloxone program. That motion has yet to be debated.
The province currently offers injectable naloxone kits for free as part of that program. Some provinces, including Quebec and Ontario, also offer the nasal sprays for free.
Naloxone kits are available at several locations across the province, including the Health P.E.I. Needle Exchange Program.
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