Divine Timing

   "Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people." Psalm 82:3-4

  A life was saved yesterday.

  My co-worker felt a sense of urgency to deliver Naloxone kits to work on Saturday. She does not work Saturday. We are not open on the weekend.

  Our supply of kits was completely gone until she refilled our cupboard.

  Yesterday, it was nearing closing. A group had gathered out front and I felt a sense of urgency to go outside and join them. I confess to being a smoker. Joining the group outside is a great way to connect with people and get to know them.

  A person staggered up to the group obviously under the influence of something. Someone encouraged them to sit on the steps before they fell down. Minutes later, this person fell face first to the ground. They were not breathing. There was no heartbeat.

  We had only received our Naloxone training at the start of December. It is not hard. It is a nasal spray designed to offset the lethal impact of an opioid overdose. The team came together and acted as a unit to do what needed to be done to save a life.

  The sound of sirens was music to my ears.

  Seeing the person who had been dead climb into the ambulance was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.

  Had my co-worker not delivered the kits, had I not been outside, had the team not been trained, had this person not come to the centre, the outcome could have been drastically different. 

  I know there are people out there who feel an overdose death means one less addict on the streets. I know there are people who feel those who die got their just desserts because of their lifestyle choices.

  Then why did God orchestrate all the things that needed to happen to save this life? And why this life? Why not all the others who have died due to an accidental overdose?

  It's a question I have no answer to and probably won't until I have the chance to ask Him personally.

  Very few people overdose with the intent to die by suicide.

  If you are a recreational drug user, keep a Naloxone kit with you at all times. Make sure it's visible and easily found by others because it's not just the hard drugs that are laced with opioids. Fentanyl is showing up in marihuana purchased on the streets. It may be cheaper than buying it at a store (cannabis is legal in Canada) but the risk is huge.   

  The number of accidental overdose deaths is exploding. There were five suspected such deaths in our town last week. There were nearly 25 overdose events that required EMS services.

  Sons and daughters, brothers and sisters are dying. It is not just the homeless. It's everywhere and I have no idea how to stop it except to say to everyone: 

 Get a Naloxone kit or two from your pharmacy. 

 They are free.

 Familiarize yourself with how to use it because the next accidental overdose could happen to someone you know and love.