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it worthwhile. But tolerance and addiction build rapidly – sometimes within days. Tose who are susceptible to the “highs” it induces at the outset need ever larger amounts to get the same reward and this is com- pounded by an irresistible crav- ing. Medically, the doses are 12.5, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mcg per hour, but for even a habitual user, a dose of 200 mcg used within an hour will kill. Fentanyl can


Bold Ideas Dorothy Dobbie


be taken into the body in many dif- ferent ways, in- cluding through simple skin ab- sorption, which is


why drug control officers are so concerned about encountering the stuff in powder form. Illegally distributed, it might appear on a spiked blotter to be taken by mouth. Tablets disguised as OxyContin are common and of- ten the drug is mixed with heroin, morphine or other opioids and the user may not know it is even there. How long does it take to get addicted? It is very hard to pinpoint an average


amount of time or usage that indicates ul- timate addiction to any opioid. People vary considerably in their physical and psychologi- cal make up and that means so do the effects of opioids. For some individuals, however, becoming dependent on fentanyl takes a very short time: days rather than weeks. And the impact of the drug is powerful.


Perhaps that’s one reason why drug pushers are willing to risk killing their clients – it is so easy to create new addicts. People depend- ent on other opioids are also often not aware that they are being fed fentanyl because our killer may be introduced in one of its many disguises, the favourite being the preferred prescription opiate, OxyContin. As men- tioned, fentanyl-laced products are created to look like Oxy – the pills are the same shade of green and are stamped with an “80”, the most frequently prescribed dose of OxyContin pill sold on the street. Te fentanyl pill even has a name: Shady 80. Unsuspecting users can be quickly hooked on the more deadly, and less-expensive-to-produce, drug. Te problem is that controlling the dosage


of fentanyl is very hard. It is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine and hundreds of times stronger than heroin. Te tiniest bit ex- tra can mean the end of a life. Here`s how easy


Overdose symptoms


term or even fatal consequences. Call 911. • Confusion. • Dizziness. • Difficulty thinking, speaking, or walking.


O The fentanyl crisis is forcing first responders to rethink their strategies.


it is for a pusher to create an overdose. http:// www.calgarysun.com/2016/10/17/alberta- fentanyl-dosages-show-just-how-haphazard– and-deadly–pill-production-really-is What to do if someone overdoses


You have probably heard about naloxone or


Narcan, the antidote that knocks the opioid off the brain receptor. It is also used to over- come overdoses of other drugs such as heroin, morphine, etc. Narcan is delivered via intra- muscular injection or through a nasal spray. It takes about two to five minutes to work and its effects last 30 to 90 minutes. Fentanyl, on the other hand, stays in the system for up to 72 hours, even though the “high” lasts only three to six hours. Indeed, after 17 hours, the drug in your bloodstream will have decreased by only 50 per cent. For this reason, it is important that users of Narcan be monitored after naloxone intervention in case the treatment has to be re-administered. As well, the patient may require additional


oxygen for a time and body temperature and hydration must be monitored. Habitual users may suffer withdrawal symptoms – perhaps acutely – after being treated with Narcan and will require continued help and observation for some hours. (Note that overweight people keep the drug


in their systems longer.) Here is a website link that will show you


how to use Narcan. https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=BaOUCo1M2mk&feature=em- uploademail Administer the antidote and call 911 immediately.


But how come some people use fentanyl for


long periods? Fentanyl is sold legally in many forms in


strictly controlled doses. It can be prescribed as a patch (Duragesic), as a lollipop or lozenge (Actiq), as a sublingual (under the tongue) tablet (Fentora) as a mouth spray (Subsys) and as nasal spray (Lasanda). Under a physician's care, the doses are


carefully monitored. However, the patient can still become addicted as tolerance builds and higher doses are required to have effect. Patients do become addicted. Longer term, controlled fentanyl use can in-


clude such symptoms as confusion,depression, difficulty walking, swelling in hands and feet, muscle stiffness, slowed/altered heart rate,


Street names for drugs containing fentanyl


Apache Cash China Girl China White Dance Fever Drop Dead Friend


Goodfella Jackpot King Ivory Murder 8 TNT Tango


laboured breathing,weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting, shaking, sleepiness, slurred speech, weight loss, visual hallucinations, nausea and vomiting, itching and scratching, itchy nose, sniffles, severe sneezing attacks, and pinpoint pupils. But for chronic pain relief, people are willing to put up with a lot of “inconvenience”. It is also used in palliative care where the


users are not expected to live long enough to suffer these side effects. I am pretty sure it has helped speed many dying patients to their final rest even before the new laws were put in place. Withdrawal and detoxification


Withdrawal symptoms can include sneez-


ing fits, chills, dizziness, yawning, sweating, restlessness, tears, runny nose, chills, back- ache, stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea, joint , back and muscle pain, hair bristling, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, nervous- ness, irritability, shivering, confusion, general weakness, loss of appetite, tremors . . . all com- pounded by mental anguish as your brain is flooded by the compulsion to get another hit. It is not advisable for people try to withdraw on their own or cold turkey. Get help. What if you are prescribed fentanyl? Canadian doctors push this stuff and other


opioids more than in any other country. In 2016, it is reported by the Globe and Mail that at least 655 Canadians died from fentanyl. Te real total is probably much higher. Fentanyl is not the only opioid that is over


prescribed in our country. Hydromorphone and oxycodone are two other offenders that are frequently dispensed. About 20 to 30 percent of opioid addicts got started through prescriptions according to Ontario’s Bellwood Health Services which treats addiction.


NewLeaf flying high across Canada Winnipeg’s new air travel company offers low fares that you can afford


Dorothy Dobbie N


ewLeaf Travel Company, which of- ficially took off at the end of July in 2016, has been offering Canadians


low fares – make that ultra-low fares – in air travel. No longer do travellers have to wait for a seat sale to go visit family, friends or just to explore this vast, beautiful country; NewLeaf has made it possible through their everyday low fares. Hitching a low-cost flight from one part of


Canada to another will be an option – some- times for as low as $19 from places such as Abbotsford to Winnipeg (yes, that’s taxes and fees included). Customers have the choice to pay for what they want, and if you just want a seat, well the possibilities are there. Modelled after other air carriers like


America’s Allegiant and Spirit Airlines, and Ireland’s Ryanair, Newleaf, which is the ticket reseller for their airline partner, Flair Airlines, offers an à la carte experience. A checked bag costs $25 if purchased


ahead of time. Rates go up the closer to f light time they are checked. Passengers are encouraged to check their bags, so a carry-on bag is $35. A stroller or wheelchair


4 Smart Biz


is free, but a second checked bag will cost more. Personal handbags are free, but must be stowed under the seat in front of you. Seat prices scale from the front to the back. Food and drink options are available for purchase on board. Te experience is what a traveller wants or can afford.


Proud to be headquartered in Winnipeg,


NewLeaf has already earned the loyalty of Winnipeggers, who have come to adopt the company as something to be proud and sup- port. In return, NewLeaf has provided Win- nipeg with the most destinations and flight frequencies. People travelling in and out of James Richardson International Airport with NewLeaf, can go to cities like Edmonton, Abbotsford, Hamilton and Halifax during the winter months. By late spring and summer, the schedule


will be expanded to include more destina- tions, and higher frequencies. “We give Ca- nadians a choice in travel. You no longer need to pay high fares in order to visit friends and family. In fact, NewLeaf makes it possible for you to go more often,” says Jim Young, Presi- dent and CEO of NewLeaf Travel Company. “We hope that more Canadians will take ad- vantage of these low fares and explore places and cities they’ve never been to before.”


Te company chose Winnipeg as its opera-


tional headquarters initially because of its geographical location. However, company executives quickly realized and appreci- ate the talent pool that the city has to offer. Professional employment opportunities will continue to grow as NewLeaf expands. “Tis is an exciting industry to work in, and to date we have been thrilled with the team that we have working at NewLeaf,” stated Young. NewLeaf currently employs just under 30 people in Winnipeg. NewLeaf has already gained the reputa-


tion of being the ‘little-guy’ in the Canadian airline industry; disrupting the marketplace with its ultra-low fares. On routes where NewLeaf operates, there has been a 23 per cent reduction in all airfares and NewLeaf’s presence has forced them to return to mar- kets that were previously ignored or not serviced at all. NewLeaf has been placed in the national


spotlight since its inception. Te daring lit- tle company has not only made its mark in Canada, the country now has another reason to once again marvel at all the good things that happen here in Winnipeg. NewLeaf is proud to call Winnipeg its


home. For more information: http://gonewleaf.ca/


www.smartbizwpg.com


• Pale face. • Blue- or purple-colored lips, finger- nails, or extremities.


• Throwing up. • Choking sounds. • Pinpoint pupils (pupil size reduced to small black circles in middle of eyes).


• Seizures. • Low blood pressure. • Slowed heart rate. • Excessive drowsiness. • Frequent fainting spells (nodding off).


• Limp body. • Unresponsive. • Coma. • Difficulty breathing. • Hypoventilation (slow, shallow breathing).


• Respiratory arrest. • Death.


Where to get Naloxone Training in administering the drug


is also given at each of the following lo- cations. Tere is no charge for the kits. • Main Street Project, 75 Martha St., Winnipeg.


• Nine Circles Community Health Centre, 705 Broadway, Winnipeg.


• Street Connections, Main Floor, 496 Hargrave St., Winnipeg.


• The Pas Primary Health Care, 111 Cook Ave., Te Pas.


• Gillam Public Health, 115 Gillam Dr., Gillam.


• Thompson Public Health, 867 Thomp- son Dr. South, Tompson.


• Flin Flon Primary Health Care, 1 North Ave., Flin Flon.


• Selkirk Community Health Office, Selkirk Public Health, 237 Manitoba Ave., Selkirk.


• Nations-First Pharmacy, 102-19 Pine St., Pine Falls


Many others become addicted during pro-


longed hospital stays then have to go through withdrawal at home because the medical sys- tems avoids admitting that this is happening. If you are prescribed any opioid, think


long and hard before agreeing to take it and ask for alternatives. Pain management can take many forms; the answers don’t all come in a pill.


Pegasus and NewLeaf collaborate on in-flight mag


P


egasus Publications Inc. has announced the launch of a new publication. Te Leaf will


be published as an in-flight maga- zine for NewLeaf Travel Company. Dorothy Dobbie, President of


Pegasus, said, “We believe that NewLeaf offers an important alter- native to the traveller in Canada. Te smaller cities served by NewLeaf deserve committed attention from a dedicated airline, as does the econ- omy side of the market. We are very pleased to help this company grow. Te magazine will be published


quarterly, launching in February 2017 and will be offered to all pas- sengers flying on NewLeaf planes. Advertising space is limited. General Manager Ian Leatt says that the in- terest in the publication is very keen and that covers and key position pages have already been spoken for. Te Leaf will carry stories of par-


ticular interest to travellers, high- light its destinations and provide general entertainment. It will be a glossy, full-colour magazine.


February 2017


nce fentanyl overdose symp- toms begin, get the user help IMMEDIATELY to reduce long-


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