ACTIVE Spotlight: Coalition provides opioid & Narcan training, along with free kits
August 20, 2023 at 12:00 a.m. | Link to Original Article from El Dorado News
Earlier this year, the Approaching Crisis Through Intervention and Education (ACTIVE) Coalition joined forces with TOUCH Coalition and Harbor House Prevention Services to provide Narcan Training and over 500 free Narcan Kits to the community of Union County, Arkansas. Funding was awarded to TOUCH through the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) “Hero Project” Grant.
What is Narcan? Also called Naloxone, Narcan is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist–meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids, such as heroin, morphine and oxycodone.
It can be administered when an individual is showing signs of opioid overdose as a temporary treatment since its effects do not last long. However, during an overdose crisis, giving Narcan to the individual could allow first aid responders and emergency ambulances to arrive in time to save their life. Therefore, it is critical to obtain medical intervention as soon as possible after administering/receiving Narcan/Naloxone. There are no negative side effects of Narcan.
Unfortunately, when ACTIVE Coalition conducted the Narcan Training with free kits to give senior students, many parents did not allow them to receive the free “life-saving” Narcan kit. It’s possible many parents have never heard of Narcan or do not understand the importance or significance this could make to others their student encounters outside of the home.
Undeterred, ACTIVE Coalition quickly refocused efforts and began providing trainings to Union County school district personnel including coaches and teachers. In addition, the Coalition has held several trainings for nonprofit organizations whose mission is to serve the community. Trainings have also been provided to Main Street El Dorado, SHARE Foundation employees, ACTIVE Coalition members and others. Two doses of Narcan have been provided to those who completed the training. Several more Narcan trainings are being scheduled.
By the end of September 2023, ACTIVE Coalition anticipates all Narcan kits will be distributed. Therefore, hundreds of people in our community will be trained on how to recognize an opioid overdose, administer Narcan/Naloxone, and care for the individual until emergency services arrive.
The ACTIVE Coalition is targeting mental health and substance and drug abuse in Union County and they encourage youth and parents to participate in any sponsored drug-free community events. Anyone can follow the ACTIVE Coalition on its Facebook Page at facebook.com/ActiveCoalition. For more information, or to get involved, contact Jill Weinischke at 870-881-9015 or jweinischke@sharefoundation.com.
