Music festival's naloxone to be left in hands of paramedics

The WayHome music festival's decision to ban personal naloxone kits is based on keeping control in the hands of medical professionals, according to the event's medical director.

WayHomedrew criticism this week after telling a woman planning to attend the festival she could not bring her anti-overdose kit.

So far, organizers said there is no plan to repeal the ban.

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Organizers, including WayHome'smedical director,Dr. Adam Lund, and his medical team,consulted public health officials, police and paramedics before finalizing their emergency response plan for the festival.

Their final decision was based on two main issues: the potentialdangers of having untrained people administer the drug, and the public's lack of understanding of how naloxoneworks.

"We've made sure we have adequate services to make sure people can stay safe," Lundsaid, addingthe festival'smedical team will have access to200naloxonekits.

Naloxonenot a 'one-stop solution'

Lund said he's a "strong supporter" of equipping people withnaloxone, but he understands why a private event would limit access to first responders.

"Naloxoneis not a one-stop solution," he said, explaining that overdose victims may need further medical treatment."As a third-party provider, if someone just givesnaloxonethat might not be an adequate solution, we have to do all that other important stuff [too]."

If no one from the medical team is there, that person can deteriorate...- Dr. Adam Lund, WayHome'smedical director

Lund also says some people who have been trained to administer naloxonearen't awareit's a temporary antidote, wearing off in 30 to 90 minutes.

If emergency care isn't continued the person can relapse,something paramedics are trained to address.

"If no one from the medical team is there, that person can deteriorate after theNarcan[a name brand of nasal spraynaloxone]wears off," Lund said.

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With regard to the legality of administering a drug without that person's approval, Lund saidthere is a difference between naloxonekits and an EpiPen or insulin.

"Naloxone is designed to give to a third party. The difference is that [those]medications are self-administered by someone awake and conscious," Lund said.

Ontario's Good Samaritan Act offers legal protection for people who assistsomeone in trouble.