Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are posted in municipal facilities and other high-traffic areas, in case of an emergency. Soon naloxone kits could have the same visibility. Health officials say the life-saving medication can temporarily reverse an opioid poisoning. That’s why Public Health Sudbury and Districts wants to see naloxone co-located with AEDs. “Naloxone is only useful if someone is available who has naloxone to be able to administer it,” Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Sudbury’s medical officer of health, told the board of health Thursday. During its October meeting, the board approved a plan to increase public access to naloxone in community settings. Hirji explained to members that the kits would be added to locations where AEDs are already stationed. “If someone is suffering a cardiac arrest, we have an AED available in the community that somebody can grab and use it in that moment to help save that person’s life until the ambulance is able to get there,” Hirji said. “We’d have naloxone located in the same places. There would be opportunity to address multiple kinds of health issues that could arise.” “We can’t predict when or where a drug poisoning can happen,” said PHSD health promoter Danielle Labrosse. Public health officials say both naloxone and AEDs provide early intervention during emergencies and can improve health outcomes. Having them together in one location increases visibility and the chance a bystander might respond to someone in distress. “It also helps with reducing the stigma surrounding the toxic drug crisis and people who use drugs. So having it alongside another first aid and first response can help reduce the stigma as well,” Labrosse said. Now that the board has approved the plans, Public Health Sudbury and Districts will start reaching out to municipalities and organizations to add naloxone kits alongside AEDs in public spaces and other high-traffic areas.
