MOOSE JAW — Community Connection Moose Jaw is inviting residents to partake in an upcoming naloxone training course that is an important life-saving educational program.
The free course will take place at St. Aidan Anglican Church’s Parish Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 22, starting at 7 p.m.
Each participant will receive a free naloxone kit to take home with them and, depending on how many residents attend, a few extras may be available if you need to replace an expired kit.
“I encourage anybody who interacts with the public to come and take naloxone training,” said Crystal Harvey, a Community Connection co-ordinator. “You could potentially save a life.”
The upcoming training will be the second such course offered by Community Connection Moose Jaw and addresses a growing concern over opioid overdoses in the community.
From January 2016 to June 2024, a total of 49,105 opioid toxicity deaths have been reported across Canada, averaging 10 deaths each day nationwide in the first half of 2024. From January to June 2023, there were 291 related deaths in Saskatchewan with a projected average of 1.6 deaths per day. Of these deaths, more than 80 per cent were attributed to fentanyl use.
In Moose Jaw alone, statistics indicate that opioid overdose-related deaths have remained a concern and as of August 2023, four confirmed opioid-related deaths have been reported. This places Moose Jaw fourth overall in the province for this cause of death.
Naloxone is a commonly administered drug used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and displaces attached opioid molecules, thereby reversing their effects. It’s routinely used to treat fentanyl, heroin, morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone overdoses.
“Overdoses are on the rise in our communities, and it’s important for as many people as possible to have the training and carry these kits with them,” Harvey said.
Community Connection will partner with AIDS Programs 小蓝视频 Saskatchewan Inc., to offer the training and instruction will be provided by Erin Hildebaugh, who’ll be returning to facilitate her second naloxone course in Moose Jaw.
Participants will be introduced to the work done by AIDS Programs 小蓝视频 Sask., and each guest will receive a kit, learn about its components, and then have an opportunity to practice administration.
“(All participants will) practice drawing the medicine up into the syringe and will then inject it into a stress ball,” Harvey explained. “Then, they can ask any questions they might have after that. People can ask questions about Community Connection and about volunteer opportunities with us as well.”
It’s important to note that naloxone can be administered either nasally or through an injection, and each kit provided at the course will feature the injectable administration format exclusively.
To help ensure enough naloxone kits are available, prospective registrants are asked to sign up well in advance of the Jan. 22 event.
For more information about AIDS Programs 小蓝视频 Sask. Inc. visit or call its toll-free and confidential number at 1-877-210-7623.
To learn more about Community Connection Moose Jaw visit ‘’ on Facebook or email [email protected].
St. Aidan Anglican Church Parish Hall is located at 124 First Avenue Northeast.
