The District of North Vancouver is expanding its naloxone program among staff members in the hopes of saving more lives from drug-related deaths.
On Monday, council passed a motion that will make online training available for staff to recognize overdose symptoms and respond; to identify more positions that could be suitable for formal naloxone training; and to work with Vancouver Coastal Health to raise awareness of naloxone kits among businesses and the community in general.
Monday’s motion comes after council directed staff in July 2024 to report back on options to train more staff and to increase the availability of naloxone, particularly in its nasal spray form.
In 2016, a public health emergency was declared in B.C. due to the significant rise in overdose deaths from drug poisonings. Since then, around 21,000 people have died from overdoses across the province, district staff noted in a report.
According to BC Coroners Service data, the number of unregulated drug deaths has been steadily rising in North Vancouver in recent years. Last year, there was a new high of 25 unregulated drug deaths across the region, up from 23 in 2023 and 20 in 2022.
District staff said most North Shore deaths are among single males aged 30-59 in private residences.
District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, which administer naloxone doses most frequently among municipal employees, carry nine naloxone kits – one in each truck.
Firefighters responded to 97 overdose calls last year, said DNVFRS Chief Mike Danks
Outside of the fire service, park rangers, bylaw officers, operations staff and first aid attendants are trained to deliver naloxone.
While staff noted that more training could come at minimal costs, expanding availability of naloxone might not happen.
"At this time, there is no available budget for the expansion of this service," staff said. Nasal spray kits cost around $112 each, and injectable kits around $27.
'Incumbent' on municipality to prevent overdose deaths, councillor says
Introducing the motion to council, Coun. Jordan Back said he was first inspired by the tragic death of Sidney McIntyre-Starko, an 18-year-old University of Victoria student who died of an overdose in a dorm room in January 2024.
“It’s incumbent on us to do what we can to prevent these types of deaths from happening,” he said, adding that 152 people died of suspected unregulated drug deaths across the province in January 2025.
“I do support the recommendations in the report in terms of making some online training available for any employees who are interested in taking part, so that they can potentially save a life in the instance of an overdose that’s happening in our community,” Back said.
“And I think the idea of involving the business community as well ... makes a lot of sense,” he added.
Coun. Jim Hanson said that anything the district can do to prevent toxic drug deaths is a good step.
“Greater distribution of naloxone will save lives,” he said.
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