Post-secondary students are one of the highest-risk groups in escalating opioid crisis

TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) on August 31st, 2019, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) launched the "Carry It Toolkit," an opioid overdose education campaign aimed at Canadian post-secondary students. The resources support educational institutions across Canada in preventing and responding to an opioid overdose on campus.

The opioid crisis in Canada is real and growing. Youth aged 15-24 have the second fastest-growing rates of hospitalizations from opioid harms inCanada.

According to a new study from Angus Reid commissioned on behalf of CMHA, substance use is very common on campus, with 81% of Canadians saying that they have witnessed someone take recreational drugs at post-secondary school.

Despite this, a majority (53%) of Canadians said they would not know how to respond if they encountered someone experiencing an overdose.

The toolkit provides practical tools and resources to educate students, administrators, faculty and staff on how to identify and respond to an overdose when every second matters, as well as a sample protocol for making naloxone available on campus and for how to use, train, store and get access to naloxone. In Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest Territories, naloxone kits, with both the injectable form and NARCAN Nasal Spray, can be picked up free of charge, without identification, at almost any pharmacy.

"If you care, we're asking you to carry it," says Fardous Hosseiny, interim CEO, CMHA.  "A compassionate, effective response to opioid overdose is multifaceted and ready access to naloxone where young people live, work and study is essential."

Back-to-school is a major time of transitions for young people, with increased stress and academic and social pressures. It's important for students experiencing school-related stress to have supportive relationships, emotional and academic support and access to on-campus mental health resources. Many Canadians (88%) believe parents should be concerned about their kids' exposure to recreational drugs while attending post-secondary institutions, but access to the right services and support networks can help them cope with pressure in healthy ways.

"As our children head back to school, we want to ensure they're in the safest environment possible," says Mark Barnes, pharmacist at Respect Rx Pharmasave, Ottawa and member of the Ottawa Overdose Prevention & Response Task Force. "With the prevalence of incredibly powerful synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanyl, we need to be prepared and equipped to respond efficiently. Sadly, only a few grains of these highly potent drugs can be lethal so ensuring students are carrying a naloxone kit and are prepared to respond to an overdose can make all the difference."

The CMHA Carry It Toolkit is available at www.cmha.ca/carryit and was developed by CMHA with an unrestricted grant from Adapt Pharma Canada Ltd., the makers of NARCAN® Nasal Spray, which is a temporary antidote that can help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

About the Canadian Mental Health Association

Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization inCanada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and one territory, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. For more information, visit www.cmha.ca

ABOUT NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) NASAL SPRAY

Naloxone Hydrochloride Nasal Spray is a pure opioid antagonist indicated for emergency use to reverse known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or severe central nervous system depression.

Naloxone Hydrochloride Nasal Spray can be administered by a bystander (non-health care professional) before emergency medical assistance becomes available, but it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care. Emergency medical assistance (calling 911) should be requested immediately when an opioid overdose is suspected, before administering naloxone.

NARCAN® Nasal Spray is available upon consultation with a pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the direction for use.  The full product monograph for NARCAN® Nasal Spray is available at https://www.narcannasalspray.ca/pdf/en/product_monograph.pdf.

Adapt Pharma Canada Ltd. has established dedicated distribution channels that allow first responders, public health organizations, and individuals to readily access NARCAN® Nasal Spray.  Adapt Customer Support can be reached at 1-877-870-2726 or by e-mail adaptcanada@customer-support.ca.

Naloxone Hydrochloride Nasal Spray is available as 4 mg/0.1 mL single-dose sprayer, carton of 2 devices.

For further information: For more information, or to arrange an interview with a CMHA spokesperson, please contact: Katherine Janson, National Director of Communications, (416) 646-5557 ext. 24923, kjanson@cmha.ca