Posted: May 25, 2021 5:00 AM CT | Last Updated: May 25
Trudy Monias is warning others after her friend died from taking pink down a pink powder of crushed fentanyl, heroin and often other drugs that has been rampant on Winnipeg streets this past year.(Jaison Empson/CBC)
A Winnipeg woman who survived after using a fentanyl-based street drug but couldn t save her friend is speaking out to warn others about substances known as pink and purple down.
Trudy Monias, 40, originally from Pimicikamak, said her own drug and alcohol use is linked to the trauma and abuse she s faced in life. Recently, her partner of eight years, who she called her soul-mate, died by suicide, causing her to rely even more on substances to cope with her pain.
Winnipeg Free Press
pembinavalleyonline.com
A plan is underway to reopen the emergency room at Altona’s hospital after a nursing shortage at Altona Community Memorial Health Centre forced its ER to close in late March.
For the first time in Manitoba, paramedics are expected to staff an emergency room in a rural hospital.
For the first time in Manitoba, paramedics are expected to staff an emergency room in a rural hospital.
A plan is underway to reopen the ER at Altona’s hospital by hiring two paramedics to take over nursing duties. A nursing shortage at the southern Manitoba hospital forced its ER to close in late March. It reopened April 6 for limited hours for urgent-care needs, but health officials plan to keep it running 24-7 with paramedics filling in.
Added stress and pressure
The Paramedic Association of Manitoba says a majority of paramedics in the province are under the age of 45, so while Saturday s announcement is a start, it hopes to see the province change the criteria in the future.
The association says all paramedics should be vaccinated, not just those born on or before Dec. 31, 1975.
Rebecca Clifton, the association s administrative director, said paramedics work puts them in direct risk of contracting COVID-19, which has increased the stress and pressure on members. I go home and I m tired and I have to be questioning, am I just tired or maybe I m getting sick? said Clifton. Maybe it was just a rough tour and I m just not feeling the greatest, or maybe it is COVID.