The Importance of Awareness
Towards the end of 2018, there were 398,167 naloxone kits shipped out to distribution centers but only 149,999 of those kits were distributed to clients. Out of the 149,999, 40,903 kits were confirmed to be used to reverse an overdose. More recently in 2022/23, 307,491 THN kits were shipped out per distribution sites, with another low average of 38,098 kits shipped out per month. With the given statistics, it is clear that generally, there is a noteworthy lack of education on THN and its importance. According to biomedicalcentral.com, THN kits are more commonly retrieved through less permanent distribution community sites over pharmacies or other more permanent sites. Because of these factors, as well as the negative stigmas surrounding drug overdose, THN kits have been under-acknowledged, resulting in a higher opioid related death toll in BC and the lower mainland. By raising awareness Naloxaware hopes to improve these statistics and reduce opioid related overdoses through supplying underprivileged communities.
