West Vancouver Police start program with free naloxone kits, health referrals
Posted December 20, 2018 10:05 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WEST VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Police in West Vancouver are trying something new to help people at risk during the opioid crisis.
Officers are planning to hand out free naloxone kits to some people they arrest, and give them direct referrals to Vancouver Coastal Health outreach workers when they are released from custody. According to the department, a high percent of people who are arrested for property crimes have drug addictions. They are hoping this new program can help connect people taken into custody with health workers so they can receive treatment.
The naloxone kits can be used in an emergency.
Chief Const. Len Goerke says officers came up with the idea when they were discussing what else they could do during the opiod crisis. The department is working on the new intiative with Vancouver Coastal Health.
“Is there a way we can potentially intervene with somebody who has an addiction issue, is a user of fentanyl, that might prevent them from overdosing down the road?” Goerke says.
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Insp. John Lo says officers will be handing out a naloxone kit to certain people they arrest.
“Instead of just processing charges against that person, members are turning their eyes to getting that person some treatment, connecting them with the resources available at Vancouver Coastal Health, and issuing that person a take-home naloxone kit,” he says.
Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, with Vancouver Coastal Health says it’s important that health care workers and law enforcement work together.
“People suffering from addiction are at high risk of overdose after release from custody, so linking them with outreach workers and other supports like Naloxone can help keep them safe and get them the help they need,” he says in a release. “We hope this will help people get through a vulnerable period.”
The officers believe West Vancouver is the first police department in the Lower Mainland to try this approach.
