Incorporating Comorbidity E-News
Harmaceuticals: special session on fentanyl injection and overdoses Including “International Overdose Awareness Day Launch”
Posted to ENEWS for Sharon Osman on behalf of Anex
Fentanyl misuse and fatal overdose
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid often prescribed for severe pain via a slow-release patch. Fentanyl can also be extracted from patches and injected.
Highly disturbing reports of fentanyl injection, serious injecting injuries and fatal overdoses are emerging from the Albury-Wodonga and Riverina area.
Paramedics, police and drug and alcohol teams in the area are worried the dramatic rise in ambulance call-outs and overdoses means it is becoming the drug of choice for injecting drug users.
This is just the latest example of how problematic pharmaceutical drug use is outpacing policy responses.
It’s time to learn more about fentanyl misuse and plan responses.
Free Seminar Albury-Wodonga – August 21
Click here to register www.anex.org.au/what-we-do/events/fentanyl/
Anex is convening an urgent round table seminar bringing together health, ambulance, police and other related agencies.
Keynote speakers
Professor Bob Batey AM: Among other prominent positions, Bob was formerly Clinical Advisor to NSW Health in Addiction Medicine. He still works regularly in hepatitis treatment in the Albury area, and has long been concerned about fentanyl misuse.
Bernadette Williams: The tragedy of fentanyl overdose was brought home to Bernadette when her mother died of one last year. Bernadette is from Albury.
Panel and Discussion
The panel includes:
- Innes Clark – Clinical Liaison Nurse Murrumbidgee Central Health District, Wagga Wagga;
- Martin Eames – Pharmacology Nurse, Gateway Community Health, Wodonga;
- Laurie Evans – Ambulance Area Duty Manager, Albury;
- Alan Fisher – Clinical Nurse Consultant, Murrumbidgee Local Health Network, Albury;
- Inspector John Wadsworth – NSW Police, Albury;
- Dr David Tillet – General Practitioner, Wodonga and Albury practising GP;
- Dr Brett Tod-Hunter – Pain Management Specialist, Albury-Wodonga.
Needle and Syringe Program workers, plus drug and alcohol workers with frontline fentanyl experience will join their medical colleagues, paramedics and police, in a facilitated open discussion to frame courses of action.
International Overdose Awareness Day Launch
August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day.
The Albury-Wodonga Seminar will include the official Australian launch of the day because drug overdoses are not just a ‘big city’ concern.
Visit www.overdoseday.com for information on how you can get involved.
Who should attend?
All people dealing with drug use should know what’s happening.
Fentanyl misuse will not go away if it is ignored – get up-to-date with the facts so you’ll be prepared if it arrives in your area.
If you’re involved with health, the ambulance service, law enforcement or youth support – you’ll learn about this emerging problem from frontline experience.
Where and When
Cost: Free for attendees
Date: Tuesday August 21, 2012
Time: 12.15pm-4pm
Venue: Gateway Community Health
155 High Street
Wodonga, VIC, 3689.
Click here to register www.anex.org.au/what-we-do/events/fentanyl/
For further inquiries email info@anex.org.au, or ring Anex on 03 9486 6399.
Anex
Suite 1, Level 2
600 Nicholson Street
Fitzroy North VIC 3068
T: 61 3 9486-6399
F: 61 3 9486-7844
