On April 14, 2016, provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall declared a public health emergency under the Public Health Act due to the significant rise in opioid-related overdose deaths reported in B.C. since the beginning of 2016.

The numbers of overdose response calls and overdose deaths have climbed dramatically in each year since.

The 1,782 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province between January and October 2021 (latest stats available) are the highest ever recorded in a calendar year.

Few people have more experience dealing with the crisis than our first responders, with paramedics, police, and emergency room doctors and nurses seeing the effects of the crisis first-hand, on a daily basis.

OD callouts part of daily routine

B次元官网网址淥ne look at the numbers will tell you this is not a big-city, Downtown Eastside problem - this is in every corner of the province, B次元官网网址� said Troy Clifford, provincial president of the Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. (APBC), and the Emergency Dispatchers of B.C.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 definitely one of the stigmas out there, people say B次元官网网址榦h itB次元官网网址檚 the street people, itB次元官网网址檚 not meB次元官网网址� and thatB次元官网网址檚 absolutely not the case. We experience every day, the paramedics and dispatchers of this province, the challenges with addiction and mental health, because they go hand in hand, and we are seeing the rise to the point where we are seeing the highest numbers ever in the province.

B次元官网网址淪o it is not going away, and it is not getting any better.B次元官网网址�

Clifford said what was at one time an occasional call-out has now become part of a typical day for paramedics.

B次元官网网址淲e expect to have an overdose (call) every shift,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 sad to have to say thatB次元官网网址檚 a normal part of our job now, but it is. When seven people die every day on average across our province, every one of those overdoses involve a paramedic, or a team of paramedics, or a call to our partners in public safety - the police, fire, and thatB次元官网网址檚 resources that are tied up.B次元官网网址�

Nanaimo advanced care paramedic Stu Meyers said he gets approximately 20 calls a week for overdose issues in his territory alone, which covers the mid-Vancouver Island area from Chemainus to Bowser. With 32 years as a paramedic, he has seen a lot. He was in Vancouver from 1991-2003, which included the black tar heroin crisis. He said what has happened in the past six years is unlike anything else.

B次元官网网址淲e are seeing more and more of these overdoses,B次元官网网址� said Meyers, who is also the APBC regional vice-president 1 North. B次元官网网址淚t used to be significantly less. When I moved to Nanaimo in 2005, our overdose responses, we were still doing them, but not anywhere near this extent.B次元官网网址�

WorkSafe BC claims skyrocketing

And itB次元官网网址檚 not just affecting the resources by taking first responders away from other duties. ThereB次元官网网址檚 the fallout from the duties as well. The stress, anguish and trauma has always been B次元官网网址榩art of the job,B次元官网网址� but the opioid crisis has affected the paramedic community like nothing ever before.

B次元官网网址淲e are seeing the highest numbers we have ever seen, in any industry, from WorkSafe BC. At this time, we have about 30 per cent of our members either off on WorkSafe BC claims, in treatment, or managing in our critical incident stress program while they are working B次元官网网址� seeing psychologists or professionals for help,B次元官网网址� said Clifford. B次元官网网址淎nd those are only the ones we know of, the ones that are reported.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淢ost of us are exhausted,B次元官网网址� said Meyers. B次元官网网址淣ot only because of the opioid crisis, but as well, because of COVID, our staffing levels have been deeply impacted right across the province.B次元官网网址�

Clifford said policy-making is not for him or other first responders to discuss, but itB次元官网网址檚 clear changes need to be made.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 judge. We are here to serve,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not for us to get into public debate. We are about focusing on prevention, rehabilitation, and public safety. ThatB次元官网网址檚 really our job, and our advocacy as a profession. But clearly what we have done hasnB次元官网网址檛 worked, so we need to look at new models.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭he continual overdose response is wearing on everyone,B次元官网网址� added Meyers. B次元官网网址淣ot that we are not compassionate, but I would say there is an element of compassion fatigue for a lot of our members.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very damaging. We have a lot of members that are B次元官网网址榖entB次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� and a lot of people who are injured, and I think it is paramount on the government to recognize the mental health strains on first responders, and to act.B次元官网网址�

Ministry of Health responds

When contacted by Black Press Media, the Ministry of Health acknowledged the strain being put on all front-line workers and said efforts are being made to address the issue.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e acutely aware of the mental and physical toll the job can take on paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers and other front-line staff,B次元官网网址� the ministry said in an email statement. B次元官网网址淓very day, our front-line staff do an incredible job caring for patients, and we want to do everything we can to make sure we have the support in place to help them when they need it.B次元官网网址�

The ministry lauded the Critical Incident Stress Management program already in place for in BC Emergency Health Services.

B次元官网网址淭he program has peer support available for paramedics and dispatch staff 24 hours a day, and also offers follow-up counselling sessions with a psychologist if needed,B次元官网网址� said the ministry, in the statement.

B次元官网网址淏CEHS and the provincial government, in collaboration with the union, have been working on an even more robust program. ItB次元官网网址檚 going to mean more peer support, and more professional psychological help and it will ensure paramedics, dispatchers, call takers and other front-line staff have easy access to the support they need.B次元官网网址�

Other steps taken include the hiring of more staff.

B次元官网网址淲e are reinforcing ambulance operations with hundreds of new paramedic positions, including the 85 announced in mid-July B次元官网网址� 30 new dispatchers and 22 new ambulances,B次元官网网址� said the ministry. B次元官网网址淭hose positions were filled by the end of November 2021 and nine of the 22 ambulances are now in operation.B次元官网网址�

Paramedics responded to 35,525 overdose calls in the province in 2021.

B次元官网网址淚t is spread out everywhere,B次元官网网址� said Meyers. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e looking at it reaching all aspects of the community. ItB次元官网网址檚 not just the homeless population at risk. It is spread out far and wide. The opioid crisis is non-discriminatory. It is spread across the board.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think thereB次元官网网址檚 anyone who can say the opioidB次元官网网址� challenges have not affected them, or they donB次元官网网址檛 know somebody that has been affected by it,B次元官网网址� said Clifford.

terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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