Ever wonder about the opioid crisis in Vancouver? How about what to do if you witness an overdose?

Please join us for an important Lunch and Learn with Anca Cvaci as our guest speaker, sharing with you some information around how ODs present, showing a sample of the antidote kit put together by the BC Center for Disease Control (BCCDC), and going over the basics of what to do in case of encountering an overdose. Anca's intention for this session is to give back and to educate members of our community.

The session will be held in SG4800. Bring your lunch and learn!

The outline of the session will be to:

1. Discuss the different types of opioid and their differences in potencies
2. Explain how opioids work (basic principles including effects at high doses)
3. Go over the typical presentation of an opioid overdose (signs and symptoms)
4. Explain the role of naloxone (opioid reversal agent) and have an overall understanding of its use
5. Show how the BCCDC case looks like and what it contains
6. Explain how naloxone works
7. Explain how naloxone should be administered and how a bystander can help

Anca is a SFU full time MBA alumni, class of 2014, who proudly planted the seed and spearheaded the Beedie’s own case competition. A pharmacist by training, she has had the opportunity to work for most of the health authorities in the Lower Mainland (Providence Healthcare, Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health). Using her business skill she has successfully led a major organizational project at PHC, and now has moved on to gain some operational experience and is managing a group of pharmacists at the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Center. She loves to travel and learn more about the world around her.