LOCAL Halton police chief chooses naloxone for front line despite S IU investigations CARMELA FRAGOMENI cfragomeni@thespec.com Halton's police chief is garnering praise from Hamilton for equipping his officers with naloxone de spite the Ontario police watchdog's insistence on investigating officers who administer the drug. Chief Steve Tanner re ceived considerable atten tion on social media Friday when he announced on Twitter he will provide po tentially life-saving nalox one to his front-line offi cers. Naloxone is an antidote for overdoses caused by deadly opioids like fenta- nyl and carfentanil. . Fen- tanyl overdoses have be come an epidemic in Ham ilton and other parts of the country. Police and first respond ers can be accidentally ex posed just from coming in to contact with the opioids and be potentially put at risk. Health Canada says inhaling or transference from skin to eyes, nose and mouth are the most com mon types of incidental ex posure. The province is provid ing funding to police ser vices who want to provide their officers with nalox one. The Special Investiga tions Unit, however, probes unsuccessful life-saving measures by police, such as administering naloxone. It investigates allegations of sexual assault, serious injuries or deaths that in volve police officers. In Hamilton, Police Chief Eric Girt has stated paramedics are best suited to provide naloxone and has expressed concern about liability if an officer mistakenly uses the anti dote on someone who hasn't overdosed, but is suffering from a medical episode such as a heart at tack. Last Monday, the SIU said it is investigating Peel police officers who admin istered naloxone to a Brampton man who later died at the scene. Tanner, however, tweet ed: "Do I provide naloxone to our front line to save lives (and themselves) and have SIU investigate them needlessly? Or not provide it and investigate me. I will provide it." In an interview, the po lice chief said he thinks it is "most ironic" the province is paying for the officers' naloxone and the SIU may investigate them when they use it. "I think that's a ridicu lous use of resources." The issue might not be as big a concern in Halton, as it is in Hamilton, where there is an opioid crisis, Tanner said. But he said for "relative ly little cost, it's peace of • See NALOXONE, page 20 Lend us yo u r talents. Sheridan is seeking to recruit passionate, visionary and experienced candidates to its highest volunteer body - the Board o f Governors. Our Board is dedicated, inquisitive and collaborative. Its members are committed to stewarding Sheridan's future by ensuring its ongoing excellence and sustainability. Sheridan strives to create an equitable and inclusive teaching, working and learning environment. All qualified individuals who reflect the rich diversity of Canadian society, including equity-seeking group members, are encouraged to apply. bog.sheridancollege.ca A bout Us: Sheridan is a Canadian leader in postsecondary education, serving 23,000 students in over 120 programs, from apprenticeships to degrees, on three campuses in Oakville, Brampton and Mississauga. Sh erid an Creative Please consider this opportunity if you have senior-level work/governance experience in finance, accounting, postsecondary education, industries that align with our academic programming, or a commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Does your financial advisor know yo u r life goals? M arc Nutford Financial Advisor 2387 Trafalgar Road Unit 82 Oakville, ON L6H 6K7 905-822-2023 www.edwardjones.com/marc-nutfo rd Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund Edwardjones MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING L a k e s h o r e W o o d s D E N T A L C A R E 4 family dentistry 4 teeth whitening 4 emergency care 4 digital xrays 4 we love kids! TEETH WHITENING OR MOUTH GUARD with NEW Patient Examination X-Rays and Cleaning. 3420 Rebecca Street, Oakville 9 0 5 .4 6 9 .6 0 7 2www.lakeshorewoodsdental.com S o u th e a s t co r n e r o f R e b e c ca a n d G rea t Lakes B lvd. co | O akville Beaver | Thursday, M arch 22,2018 insidehalton.com mailto:cfragomeni@thespec.com http://www.edwardjones.com/marc-nutfo http://www.lakeshorewoodsdental.com