Patrick shares how the opioid crisis has affected multiple generations of his ordinary Canadian family.
The opioid crisis has impacted multiple generations of Patrick’s family, yet none of them fit the stereotype of someone who misuses drugs. The opioid crisis is a societal problem.
Unless you experience it within your immediate family circle, it’s something that you don’t see coming.
Patrick’s first story is an example of how we should be ready anytime, anywhere to respond to an opioid overdose emergency. He was with his son at a rock concert when the opening act suddenly stopped. A person in the crowd had collapsed. Patrick always has a naloxone kit handy, so he rushed over to assist in case it was opioid poisoning. Thankfully, the event medical staff arrived at the same time, also with a naloxone kit. Patrick never found out if it was an opioid poisoning, but he says, “it was a good father-son conversation, around the importance of having a kit when you’re out in a social setting, to have the capability to intervene.”
The reason he keeps a kit on hand—and encourages his university-aged children to as well—stems from a tragedy. “A teen my children knew from college, took medication, went home, and never woke up,” says Patrick. “A story we hear too often.”
The incident prompted several family discussions, especially around carrying naloxone kits. Patrick encouraged his kids to seek out kits and have them on hand at university. “There’s this attitude parents can have: ‘ah, my kids won’t do hard drugs,’” says Patrick. But regular use of hard drugs is hardly the only risk these days. Accidental opioid poisonings can claim the lives of people who try recreational drugs that are unknowingly laced with fentanyl. Taking a pill without knowing where it came from can result in an opioid poisoning.
Patrick’s last story is about his father, who relied on several opioid medications to manage pain related to a wartime injury. During a hospital stay, his father convinced his partner to bring in some extra medication. “It is very common for people walking into the hospital to bring side medication, which puts them at risk,” says Patrick. That extra dosage combined with what the hospital was giving Patrick’s father led to an opioid poisoning. He narrowly survived thanks to on-site naloxone.
“There’s risk everywhere whether it’s prescription or non-prescription opioids,” says Patrick.
When opportunities arise, point out the risk and have a conversation with those around you. Even if it’s just one conversation, you could save a life. It’s so important. Nothing is more important.