Opioid Overdose Antidote Will Now Be Given to Ontario Inmates Released from Prison

Ontario's health minister has agreed to further increase access to the opioid overdose antidote naloxone within the province: this time to newly released inmates. According to the Globe and Mail, Dr. Eric Hoskins issued orders on Monday to the Ministry of Health to immediately enact the change that will improve Ontario's naloxone program.

Parkinson is referring to the change in tolerance to opioids that those suffering from addiction can face when they enter into the prison system. When a prisoner is released, if they came into prison with an addiction to opioids and their access to those type of drugs is reduced, they are at an increased risk for overdose the moment they use an opiate following release. A dose that may not have caused an overdose before they went to prison could now be fatal. "I share the public's concerns and recognize the urgent need to address an increasing number of opioid overdoses in the province," Hoskins said in a statement on Monday. "With Ontario Correctional facilities now gearing up, it would be an inexpensive lifesaving gesture from others across Canada to provide a similar level of service. Providing $3 of emergency medicine is an essential health policy guaranteed to save lives and reduce injuries," Parkinson said. Follow Allison Tierney on Twitter.