News Release: Health Unit Partners with Faith Leaders to Distribute Free Naloxone Kits

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) was joined by Rabbi Sholom Galperin, Bishop Fabbro, Imam Mohamed, and Reverend George Bozanich this morning to announce a partnership with local faith leaders to distribute naloxone kits to their respective congregations starting this upcoming weekend.

The health unit emphasized the impact of substance use and overdose across all cultural and faith groups. By collaborating with faith-based organizations they aim to reach additional networks of individuals who may benefit from learning more about naloxone or who may be hesitant to obtain a naloxone kit for their household. In addition to the kits themselves, the WECHU is providing videos, resources, and education for faith leaders and those who attend their services this weekend.

The more naloxone kits in homes the better off the community will be according to WECHU’s Interim Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, “The key message is that having a naloxone kit in your home may provide an opportunity to save the life of a person. It is always better to be prepared.”

Naloxone is available without a prescription, or health card, and at no cost from a number of pharmacies in Windsor-Essex County. In addition, a number of local organizations provide naloxone kits to clients on-site and at no cost. Visit www.wecoss.ca for a list of pharmacies and locations. These locations provide naloxone training before giving out a kit. 

Each naloxone kit includes two doses of naloxone nasal spray, instructions, the
‘5 Steps to Respond to an Opioid Overdose’, a rescue breathing barrier for CPR, a client identifier card, and non-latex gloves.