Hamilton Paramedic Service to provide naloxone kits and overdose prevention education

HAMILTON, ON – Starting December 7, 2021, Hamilton Paramedic Service will provide naloxone kits and offer opioid overdose prevention education as Hamilton continues to see increases in the number of opioid overdoses.

Training began in October 2021 to prepare all Hamilton paramedics to deliver awareness and prevention education, as well as to distribute naloxone kits when responding to opioid related calls. With training now complete, the initiative will go live next week.

In collaboration with Hamilton Public Health Services and community healthcare partners, Hamilton paramedics are in a unique position to immediately and effectively deliver immediate care, harm reduction and overdose prevention education to individuals and ensure the lifesaving medication is available to those who need it most.

Quick facts

• 418 Hamilton paramedics are trained to provide naloxone kits and deliver overdose prevention education.
• Hamilton Paramedic Services have responded to 816 incidents related to suspected opioid overdoses this year (January 1 to November 21, 2021).
  • In August 2021, there were 109 opioid overdoses in Hamilton, the highest monthly response in the city recorded to date.
• Hamilton Paramedic Service continues to see an upward trend of opioid overdoses, responding to an average of three opioid related overdoses a day.

“Our Paramedics have always played a vital role in the Hamilton’s opioid crisis response. This program will further enhance the ability of paramedics to help those most at risk of overdose within our community. We remain committed to delivering the highest quality of care and ensuring the health and well-being of the residents and community, we serve now and into the future.” -  Michael Sanderson, Chief, Hamilton Paramedic Service

“I’d like to thank our partners at Hamilton Paramedic Services for all of their support with providing education and naloxone kits in Hamilton. Their contribution towards helping to reduce the impact of opioid overdose in the community is invaluable.” - Michelle Baird, Director Epidemiology, Wellness and Communicable Disease Control

Additional resources

• Hamilton Opioid Information System
• Hamilton Paramedic Service