Surrey man thanked for being a harm reduction hero
Posted December 22, 2016 3:35 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS 1130) – The BC Centre for Disease Control is offering a big “thank you” to a man in Surrey who has reversed over 100 opioid overdoses using naloxone kits. They says “Little Doug” provides an example for how more lives can be saved.
Doug Nickerson is being called a harm reduction hero. He says he brings his naloxone kit wherever he goes on the Surrey strip. It’s always hanging from his belt loop. Nickerson says a few incidents stand out for him. He remembers one weekend when he used his kits to revive 12 people. Nickerson says he’s helped stop 113 people from overdosing.
Dr. Jane Buxtin with the BCCDC says Nickerson is doing a great thing for his friends and the rest of his community on 1350A Street. “A lot of people are carrying naloxone because they care about their friends. They care about their peers. There are a number of people who have, themselves, overdosed and been revived by naloxone, the take home naloxone and want to be able to do the same for other people.”
She is encouraging anyone who uses opioids to keep naloxone at hand, but also to be like Doug and have some around so they can help their friends. Dr. Buxtin says Nickerson’s help has been invaluable. “Certainly, you have been a role model for many people and carry on the good work!”
A man who has helped reverse 113 overdoses on the Surrey strip is being lauded by health experts, Little Doug is being called a harm reduction hero.
