By Julie Chapman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Megaphone Magazine Pharmacies in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, both big and small, are out of nasal naloxone — the life-saving spray that reverses opioid overdose. London Drugs confirmed the shortage over the phone, while Owl Drugs and Jeff’s Pharmacy confirmed in person. When Megaphone asked why, it was told there hadn’t been enough people wanting to purchase the life-saving spray. Instead, those who are wanting to access naloxone are typically given one option — the injectable version. But for many people, injectable naloxone can be intimidating to use. The free kits require several steps: giving rescue breaths, drawing the medication into a syringe, locating an appropriate injection site — usually a thigh or upper arm — and inserting the needle. In the high-stress moments…
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