Vancouver Island police confirm province cutting funds for officer naloxone kits
Three Vancouver Island police departments say the province will no longer pay for their naloxone supplies — a life-saving medication officers use frequently, in the midst of the overdose crisis.
The chief of the Oak Bay Police Department (OBPD) said B.C.’s Public Safety Ministry notified police agencies of the funding cut in April of last year.
"Inventories are now expiring, so police departments are now contemplating how to best manage this," OBPD Chief Ray Bernoties wrote in an email to CTV News.
"OBPD views this as a serious issue, as our members do encounter overdoses," he said. "There are other [police departments] who will likely experience an even greater impact."
The Victoria Police Department (VicPD) also confirmed the province will no longer cover the costs of naloxone, nor the cost of training police on how to use it.
"Given the number of opioid overdoses our officers see, our provincially-supplied naloxone stores were quickly depleted," said VicPD spokesperson Bowen Osoko.
"We are part of our community and we all work together to help save lives in the ongoing opioid overdose epidemic," he said.
VicPD is now using its own budget to cover the cost of the medication.
The Saanich Police Department said its naloxone kits expire at the end of the year, so it will also replenish its own supply.
Many police services use the nasal spray form of naloxone. The kits can cost about $120 each, with two doses inside, according to the police department.
"Which is… obviously a significant cost," Saanich Police Const. Markus Anastasiades told CTV News.
"However, we know that they’re vital for saving lives and we want our officers to have it at their disposal," he said.
PROVINCE RESPONDS
On Wednesday afternoon, B.C.'s Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General said it would "ensure officers continue to have access to naloxone kits."
The ministry did not explain how it plans to do that Wednesday.
"The Ministry’s Policing and Security Branch supported front-line police officers with funding for naloxone kits for four years," reads a statement from the ministry.
"Naloxone is also supplied to harm reduction sites, pharmacies, corrections, etc. for distribution to people who are likely to experience or witness and respond to an overdose," adds the statement. "All paramedics responding to an overdose have access to a supply of Naloxone."
View Royal Fire Rescue Chief Paul Hurst said fire departments’ funding for naloxone remains unchanged.
In the first half of this year, at least 1,011 people died of a suspected drug overdose, according to the provincial coroners service. B.C.’s Health Ministry declared overdose deaths a public health emergency in 2016.
"Police have administered naloxone hundreds of times and saved countless lives," Bernoties said.
Kathleen Radu, an advocate with Moms Stop the Harm, said it would be irresponsible not to supply police officers with naloxone kits.
"It makes no sense to me that we are now putting a price on the lives of these people," said Radu, whose son, Morgan, died of an overdose last year.
Police are often first to respond to overdoses, she said, regularly preventing drug toxicity deaths.
"Can you imagine what those numbers will be if we don’t have… our police officers having access to those naloxone kits?" Radu said. "They’re going to skyrocket."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.