Firefighters in Highlands East will be equipped with a tool that could save lives. Acting Fire Chief Chris Baughman says firefighters can now carry and administer naloxone nasal spray, which is given to someone who is overdosing on opioids.
Baughman says the kits will be distributed to municipalities free of charge thanks to funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Training on how to use the kits will also be provided at no cost to Highlands East.
According to statistics from Haliburton County Paramedic Services, medics responded to 22 drug overdose-related calls last year, and two of them were due to opioids. Mayor Dave Burton says he supports anything that will help save lives.