The student leaders in charge of the University of Ottawa’s orientation week events have been barred from administering an opioid antidote in the event of an overdose due to concerns that the university could be held liable should the treatment go wrong.
It was initially planned that about 100 student leaders would carry naloxone kits in case an overdose event occurs at any of the parties and events that transpire over the long weekend, said Hadi Wess, the president of the undergraduate student union that runs the events.
The union, however, had second thoughts about the plan after it consulted with lawyers, local health organizations, and even on-campus protection services. The union realized that it could be held liable if the antidote was injected improperly and led to injuries, Wess said.
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“This is why we have to take a lot of extra measures when it comes to insurance and when considering liabilities,” Wess told The Canadian Press. “We are under the Ontario Corporation Act for not-for-profits, so it is a liability for us if (naloxone) is administered in a wrong way.”
Wess revealed that students leaders at orientation events are being trained to call on-campus emergency personnel should an opioid overdose case occur; these personnel will administer the naloxone antidote, as needed.
“Frankly, I can’t see what the problem is,” commented Rosana Salvaterra, an officer of health in Peterborough. “I think the risk of injury is very, very minimal.”
Salvaterra explained that there are no negative side effects to the antidote.
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