Fentanyl in First Nations Communities.
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Over the past three years the opioid has progressively increased the number of drug overdose deaths. In British Columbia 25% of
the overdose deaths were attributed to Fentanyl.
It is responsible either alone, or in combination with other drugs for 300 overdose deaths in 2014. Naloxone is the drug that reverses opioid overdose and saves lives. British Columbia’s “Take Home Naloxone program” has been very successful throughout the province with 300 reversals of overdoses since the program’s inception. First Nations communities need to have education and awareness regarding opioid overdose and Naloxone in order to protect community members.
FNHA is looking to implement the “Take Home Naloxone” program in First Nations communities in a manner consistent with the developing Mental Wellness and Substance Use Strategy and activities to address prescription drug misuse. This work is being led by the First Nations Health Authority Health Protection. The program is supported by Chief Medical Officer and First Nations Health Authority’s Health Benefits.
Presenters:
Janine Stevenson has her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and completed a Masters of Science in Nursing Education in 2012 at UBC. For 15 years Janine worked as a street nurse in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside supporting street youth, sex workers and people who struggle with addiction. In addition Janine has been involved with creating and teaching STI/HIV and community development workshops with Chee Mamuk. Chee Mamuk is a BC Aboriginal HIV/STBBI program, which involves working with Aboriginal communities in a culturally appropriate way. In 2010 she moved to the education program in at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control(BCCDC) to support and facilitate workshops for public health nurses and healthcare professionals regarding sexual health, harm reduction and addiction. While at the BCCDC Janine continued to work with Chee Mamuk and support programming regarding HIV prevention and testing in First Nations communities. Janine has now joined the First Nations Health Authority Health Protection unit where she will continue to support nurses who provide sexual health services and harm reduction services to First Nations people.
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Cindy Preston is a pharmacist working with FNHA Health Benefits and Nursing Services on issues related to pharmacy services, regulatory issues, and practice standards. She is passionately working on FNHA’s ‘Healthy Medication Use’ initiative, an initiative that promotes safe use of appropriate drug therapies and supports community awareness of prescription drug abuse. She grew up in on Vancouver Island and now her now resides the Lower Mainland with her husband and two young children.
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Blake Stitilis works at the First Nations Health Authority as a Planner with the Policy and Planning Team in the area of mental wellness and substance use. In addition Blake actively volunteers at YouthCO, where he completed his practicum working on the Mpowerment Project, worked as a Health Promotion Coordinator, and currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Vice-Chair of the Research & Policy Committee. Outside of YouthCO, you’ll find Blake nerding out over bell hooks, intersectionality, and anti-oppression.
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