Fort Worth organizations can learn how to save a life, and make $1,500 doing it

Community groups in Fort Worth can learn how to reverse an opioid overdose and save someone’s life — and earn $1,500 for their group doing it.

The University of North Texas Health Science Center is offering free training for community groups to learn how to use naloxone , the drug that can reverse opioid overdoses. The drug, which is better known by the name brand Narcan, delivers the medication to the overdosed person through a simple nasal spray.

UNT HSC developed the training, and the accompanying incentive, using funds awarded to the city of Fort Worth through settlements from lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies and drug distributors.

Narcan has long been used by MedStar and other first responders as the first step in treating someone who has overdosed on opioids. If people know how to administer Narcan, and have the drug available during an emergency, it significantly improves the likelihood of survival, said Theresa Wagner, Ph.D., associate professor at the HSC School of Public Health.

“You’re lengthening the window of survival,” Wagner said. The sooner Narcan can be given to someone who has overdosed, the better, she said.

Organizations interested in hosting a training can contact Wagner to set up a time and a place for the training. If at least 24 attendees show up to learn about naloxone, the group will get the full $1,500. Groups will get a smaller incentive if fewer than 24 people show up.

In addition to the training, participating groups will also receive 24 cartons of naloxone, each of which contains two doses.

Communities that have this training can save lives, Wagner said, by being able to respond immediately during an emergency.

To learn more and request a training for your group, visit unthsc.edu/one-pill-kills/narcan-training .