More locations offering take-home naloxone kits in Saskatchewan

More than 70 pharmacies in Saskatchewan have joined the battle against overdose deaths in the province.

Free take-home naloxone kits now are available at 71 drugstores, meaning the potential lifesaving substance is now available at 225 locations in 76 Saskatchewan communities. The kits also can be picked up at fixed and mobile harm reduction sites.

More than 29,000 take-home naloxone kits have been distributed in Saskatchewan since 2015 and, according to the provincial government, the use of more than 6,800 of them has been confirmed to temporarily reverse overdoses.

People in Saskatchewan now can get free kits and training on how to use them from more local pharmacists.

“The loss of any life to overdose is a tragedy,” Mental Health and Addictions Minister Everett Hindley said in a media release. “These are our friends, our family members and our neighbours.

“Our government remains committed to expanding access to overdose prevention services and harm reduction supplies including take-home naloxone kits.”

More information on the free kits, including a list of sites where they’re available, is available here.