York Regional Police say they are starting a one-year pilot project that will provide free naloxone kits to officials new marketAurora and King City, in an effort to combat the overdose.
Police said opioid-related overdoses are on the rise across the region with three incidents in Newmarket last month, including one death.
Anyone at risk of overdose can request the kit, as can friends and family for a loved one.
In partnership with York Region Public Health, the “naloxone distribution program” will run out of District 1 Police Headquarters at 429 Harry Walker Parkway South in Newmarket.
Police said residents can pick up a kit or request it from the authorities.
Police said each kit comes with two doses of NARCAN Nasal Spray, a pair of non-latex gloves, a rescue breathing barrier, and a booklet on what to do in an opioid overdose crisis.
Police said naloxone is a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Once administered, naloxone will begin to work in one to five minutes and remains active in the body for 30 to 90 minutes.
“This program will make it easier for members of our community at risk of overdose to have access to life-saving naloxone kits,” said Chief Jim McSween.
“Together with our partners at the Opioid Education and Response Workgroup, we are supporting harm reduction approaches to help reduce stigma and connect substance users with community-based resources.”
Symptoms of overdose include slow, irregular and shallow respiration, dilated pupils, muscle stiffness, seizures and fainting, leading to coma, police said.
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