Employees set up behind the Chester City Building where they were passing out free Naloxone, also known as Narcan, and showing community members how to administer the drug.
Executive Director for the Brooke-Hancock FRN, Janna Gordon, says administering Narcan is simple.
“The one we are passing out is nasal, so you want to insert it into the nostril, pointing outwards towards the sinus cavity and push the little button and the dose is administered.”
Janna Gordon | Executive Director, Brooke-Hancock FRN
When Narcan is administered, it blocks opioid receptors in the brain, reversing the dangerous effects of an overdose.
Since Narcan is an opioid antagonist, it will only work when trying to help someone overdosing from an opioid. However, if someone used a drug mixed with an opioid (like fentanyl), administering Narcan can buy them some time until paramedics arrive.
If a person does not react after giving them one dose, it is recommended to give another.
“Narcan is super safe because it’s not something that could actually hurt anybody. It’s only a lifesaving tool,” Gordon explained.
After administering Narcan, Brooke-Hancock FRN staff say it’s best to move out of the way and give the person you administered the medicine to some space.
Amy Neeley, prevention director, says everyone experiences symptoms differently but can include vomiting, agitation, and confusion among others.
7News Anchor/Reporter Annalise Murphy being trained on how to administer Narcan by Amy Neeley
“If you see someone you suspect is overdosing, try to delegate if you can. Have one person call 911 while you administer the dose. Narcan only lasts about 20 minutes, and the person could end up overdosing again if you don’t get them help right away. Now, some people might be afraid they are going to get in trouble, especially if they are illegally using it, and you can’t make someone stay with you until help arrives against their will. But I always tell people to warn them the Narcan only lasts 20 minutes and encourage them to seek immediate medical help.”
Gordon explains the many uses of Narcan not related to illegal use of opioids.
“So, a lot of the time you have that stigma that it [Narcan] is associated with only people that are using opioids illegally and that’s not the case. It could be used for an accidental overdose. It could be for a young child who accidentally got into your medicine cabinet and found your prescribed medication. So, you can save your child’s life using this, it’s perfectly safe. It’s for your grandparent or your mom, you know, anyone that might have accidentally forgotten that they already took their medication today.”
Janna Gordon | Executive Director, Brooke-Hancock FRN
The Hancock County Health Department along with Change Inc. attended the Save a Life Day to show their support and provide information on other available resources.
If you were not able to make it on Thursday and are interested in learning how you can save a life, give the Brooke-Hancock FRN a call at (304) 748-7850.
Gordon says they have free Narcan available and are trained to teach people how to administer it.
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