Narcan distribution set for Wednesday
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
The Mon Valley Opioid Coalition is calling on Mon Valley residents to “have a hand in saving a life” by participating in its Community Naloxone and Deterra Distribution Drive-Thru event.
The coalition, in partnership with the Fayette County Overdose Task Force and the Monessen Police Department, will distribute free Narcan kits to residents of Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the St. Sebastian Church parking lot across from Duritza’s supermarket in North Belle Vernon.
The coalition is also using the event to squash stigmas and misconceptions about addiction and keeping Narcan in homes.
Narcan is the brand name for naloxone. When administered quickly and properly, Narcan is used to counteract the effects of opioids taken in life-threatening quantities. While physicians may prescribe Narcan proactively with opioids to minimize the risk of chemical dependency, the drug is used most frequently in emergency situations, according to the coalition.
Deterra Drug Deactivation System bags are used to safely dispose of unused medications.
Co-Chairwoman Colleen Hughes said coalition members will be on hand to give instructions on how to administer naloxone.
“A lot of the reason why we’re doing the event is really because of COVID and how COVID has placed a lot of restrictions on us being able to do community events where we would be able to get individuals trained on how to administer Narcan,” she said.
The coalition wants to educate Valley residents that having Narcan on hand isn’t just a good idea for those with heroin and opioid addiction and their family members, but for anyone taking prescribed opioid medications.
She said responsible doctors and pharmacies should give patients naloxone when prescribing a narcotic medication, such as pain killers, in case the patient accidentally overdoses or someone who isn’t prescribed the medicine accidentally takes it.
“If that doesn’t happen, what can happen at times is a person, whether it’s an elderly person or a person that is middle age or whatever, could have a grandchild over at their house. They could take the medication and not realizing it — it falls on the floor,” Hughes said. “Next thing you know you have a little grandchild or little baby or whatever that picks up that medication and eats it and the next thing you know they’re overdosing.”
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