Nicolas La Salle Abran, a supervisor with Urgences-santé, the paramedic service in Montreal and Laval, is constantly on the move, witnessing the most challenging moments in people’s lives. From heart attacks to grisly infanticides, La Salle Abran has seen it all. One common issue he encounters frequently is drug overdoses, particularly opioid intoxications. As he patrolled the streets of downtown Montreal during a ride-along with Global News, he highlighted the increase in these cases compared to when he first started his career.
With his 10-year anniversary approaching, La Salle Abran anticipated a busy Thursday shift. The warm October weather and the bustling streets indicated a demanding day ahead. His first call of the day was to a supervised injection site, where a possible drug overdose was reported. This was followed by another overdose case in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough. La Salle Abran had access to a screen in his car that displayed the various emergency calls pouring in.
He emphasized that addiction doesn’t discriminate based on population or location, citing an instance of a drug overdose in the suburban West Island. According to a report by the Montreal public health department, over 75% of the 175 fatal overdoses that occurred between August 2022 and July 2023 took place at home. The report also mentioned that addiction affects people of all ages and backgrounds. However, the department acknowledged that lives were saved during this period due to the efforts of community organizations, paramedics, first responders, and citizens. La Salle Abran shared an incident during the ride-along when a passerby administered naloxone, an opioid overdose-reversing medication, to an unconscious man before the arrival of paramedics.
Urgences-santé has been tracking the increasing use of naloxone by paramedics since April 2015. In 2016, naloxone was used 82 times, and this number has been consistently rising since then. In 2022, a total of 291 naloxone interventions were recorded in Montreal and Laval. Recent data shows that September 2023 had the highest number of interventions for that month, with 28 cases.
La Salle Abran described drug overdoses as challenging situations, both for the individuals affected and for the paramedics treating them. He emphasized the importance of acting quickly and precisely while empathizing with the patients. He acknowledged the hardships faced by those struggling with addiction but stressed that their treatment is the paramedics’ primary responsibility. La Salle Abran attributed the rise in opioid overdoses to factors such as increased drug use and the circulation of dangerous drug batches. While the situation may seem daunting, he believes that increased awareness and resources like naloxone can help save lives.
As a supervisor, La Salle Abran supports the paramedics and their patients. He understands the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder in their line of work and offers assistance whenever needed, even providing comfort food like McNuggets. Despite the challenges, La Salle Abran considers being a paramedic “the best job in the world” because of the opportunity to make a difference and help people in need. He believes that everyone, including those struggling with addiction, has a story to tell, and it’s their duty to listen and provide care.
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