Non-Profit Saves Hundreds of Lives

A program to distribute take-home naxolone kits to drug users has prevented 119 deaths in central Alberta over the last year.

Turning Point, an agency in Red Deer, started distributing naloxone kits in July 2015. Since then, the kits have given 119 people a second chance at life.

“It dramatically proves that the program is effective and that it’s needed,” said Jennifer Vanderschaeghe, the executive director of Turning Point.

“Our number of reversals in central Alberta is larger than the rest of the province combined from our peer organizations.”

The Take Home Naloxone program is making the antidote to fentanyl available through Turning Point and other non-profit community agencies around the province.

Alberta Health began funding the program through an initial $300,000 grant in April 2015.

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