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Kelowna  

Bars prep for overdoses

Several bars, clubs and restaurants in Kelowna are preparing for the possibility of a fentanyl related overdose in one of their establishments.

Employees at nearly a dozen businesses will be trained next week on the use of Naloxone, a drug which can be used to reverse the affects of a fentanyl-related overdose.

"In this industry...we just see a need for more people to be trained," said Andrew Neville, general manager at Rose's Pub.

"With drugs and fentanyl, it's casual drug users that are being affected. Casual drug users tend to go with night-life and going out and what not. I think it's something we can be pro-active on, and not wait until something happens in-and-around one of the businesses."

To date, Neville said there have been no fentanyl-related incidents at any of the night spots that he is aware of.

"But, if something does (happen), there will be many people equipped to deal with it."

Neville said staff at Sapphire are taking the training Friday night while nine other businesses will be gathering next Tuesday.

He expects about 35 employees will attend that training.

Across the province, well over half of all drug-related deaths this year have had a link to fentanyl.

According to the BC Coroner Service, 555 people have died from drug overdoses through the end of August. Fentanyl was detected in 302 of those.



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