Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services announced that intranasal Naloxone is now available anonymously and free of charge at clinics, pharmacies, health centres and hospitals in all 33 NWT communities. Intranasal Naloxone is a nasal spray that counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose and is typically used in an emergency situation until medical help arrives.

While injectable Naloxone has been available territory-wide since 2016, intranasal Naloxone has become the preferred alternative due to its ease of use and efficacy. Approximately 675 Naloxone kits have been distributed across the NWT since 2016 to combat the opioid overdose crisis.

Residents who already have a Naloxone kit are encouraged to keep it until the expiration date passes. Expired kits should be dropped off at a local health centre for safe disposal.

Quote:

”The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to working together with residents to help build safer, healthier communities. This easier to administer form of Naloxone is now available in all of our communities at no cost and can be accessed anonymously. I encourage all residents to take the time to learn about the signs of opioid overdose and where they can access Naloxone in their communities.”

-Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services

Related Links:

• For step-by-step instructions on how to use intranasal Naloxone, visit https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/sites/hss/files/resources/instructions_for_use.pdf.
• For an instructional video on how to use intranasal Naloxone, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkWXX5DPmpg.
• For more information about opioid overdose prevention, visit https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/opioid-overdose-prevention.

Media inquiries

Damien Healy

Manager, Communications

Department of Health and Social Services

Tel:  (867) 767-9052 (ext. 49034)