Nasal Naloxone Pilot Update

Lasting a year and 4 months,…

the Nasal Naloxone Pilot worked with community partners, businesses, and directly with those at risk of opioid poisoning to offer nasal naloxone.  The project goal was to identify whether people preferred injectable or nasal naloxone. In the process, a GSS team distributed close to 10,000 kits to the public free of charge. 

One  of the barriers to large-scale distribution of nasal naloxone is cost.  An injectable kit costs $40 – $50 while a nasal kit costs $150 – $ 180.  Before the Nasal Naloxone Pilot, only injectable naloxone kits were available to the public at no charge. These kits were carried by outreach and frontline staff throughout the city, as well as by those folks who would utilize the kits. However, in the fight against the opioid epidemic, looking at the potential of all tools is critical.  As a result, Alberta Health wanted to take a closer look at a preference for using nasal naloxone as opposed to injectable naloxone.

The Nasal Naloxone Pilot team worked with PolicyWise to create a survey for individuals utilizing the kits as well as those who came to the aid of someone experiencing opioid poisoning.  Inside the nasal naloxone kits was the survey that individuals were asked to complete. The pilot team worked with businesses and community partners on distribution providing education and kits at drop-ins and community partner agencies.  The team also accompanied outreach teams into the river valley and other areas where people are commonly sleeping rough. 

With the Nasal Naloxone Pilot finished, we are no longer distributing nasal naloxone kits. If you or your team wants to obtain kits, there is an option to take the St. John Ambulance Training.  After completing the training, programs can receive a shipment of nasal naloxone kits. 

Contributed by Renee Iverson, Director, Housing and Clinical Services