Since recruiting faith-based leaders in its fight against the opioid crisis, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit said it distributed 363 naloxone kits the first weekend.
The health unit announced on June 20 that it had recruited synagogues, churches, and mosques to distribute the kits to members of the congregations.
"Individuals who received a kit received education on how to administer naloxone and how to identify an opioid-related overdose," said the health unit. "The kits themselves include two doses of naloxone nasal spray, which can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose."
The kits were distributed at seven places of worship at 12 services, while another 14 faith leaders shared information on opioids and naloxone with their congregations with plans to distribute kits later.
"Opioid overdoses and deaths affect people from all religious and cultural communities," said Acting Medical Officer of Health Doctor Shanker Nesathurai. "It affects people of all income levels. It is important that all community members in Windsor-Essex understand the scope of the issue and what each of them can do as individuals to prevent overdose and death."
Between June 6 and June 19, there were ten suspected drug-related deaths in the region. There were 61 opioid overdose deaths in all of 2021.