Despite a rainy start to the day, 1,037 boxes, or 2,074 doses, of naloxone were distributed throughout Monongalia County Thursday as part of Save a Life Day, also called Free Naloxone Day.
Sometimes known by the brand name Narcan, naloxone is used to revive someone who has stopped breathing after suffering an opioid overdose.
Members of the Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT) and community volunteers were set up at nine locations in the county to provide information and resources to residents in addition to distributing the life saving drug – as well as fentanyl test strips – and teaching people how to use them.
Naloxone only works for opioid overdoses, so it will not work for drugs like methamphetamine, ecstasy, or Xanax – only opioids.
“The cool thing about it is even if you give it to someone who is suffering from another type of medical issue or they took a different substance, it’s not going to hurt them – it just won’t do anything,” said QRT member Joe Klass.
Each box of naloxone distributed contained two doses of a spray which is easily administered nasally. Klass said no testing or priming of the device is necessary, you just insert the tip into either nostril and push down the plunger to administer the dose.
Klass said after you administer the dose, “you want to make sure you call 9-1-1 because that covers you from a liability standpoint and also they could be suffering from another type of medical issue – you also might not have enough naloxone.”
Doses can continue to be administered every 3 to 5 minutes until the person wakes up, you run out of naloxone, or emergency medical services arrive.
“If you are ever not sure, you can just go ahead and administer naloxone – it’s very safe,” Klass said.
While Mon County has participated in naloxone distribution days before, Klass said today was particularly exciting, because this was the first time all 55 counties in West Virginia were participating together.
Klass said the purpose of the day is to raise awareness and get information out there about people who are suffering from substance misuse as well as getting naloxone into the hands of as many community members as possible.
“A key part of our strategy is that people need to be alive to get help,” Klass said. “Naloxone does that – very well.”
In the current opioid epidemic, Klass said anyone can be suffering from substance misuse and with current trends, like the recently discovered rainbow fentanyl pills, it is becoming increasingly important for naloxone and fentanyl test strips to be a part of every medicine cabinet.
“Like the way we have first aid kits and people trained in CPR,” he said, “the goal is to try to get naloxone to as many people as possible out in the community who may be in a position to help.”
If you were unable to make it to a location on Thursday, you can still receive free doses of naloxone and receive training on how to administer it by reaching out to the Monongalia County Health Department by phone at 304-598-5100 or on the website, monchd.org. You can also contact WV Peers at westvirginiasoberliving.com or 304-602-3305.
“Really every day is free naloxone day, at least in Monongalia County, because if people want naloxone on any day they can always reach out to the Monongalia County Health Department or West Virginia Peers,” Klass said. “They will give them the training, they will give them the naloxone, they will provide any resources they may need.”
