Naloxone (brand name Narcan) lifesaving drug available at no cost to residents
Clinical and community staff at the Guilford County Division of Public Health (GCDPH) recently received training on the administration of Narcan Nasal Spray (generic name Naloxone) to help combat overdose deaths in Guilford County. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose when administered promptly.
Guilford County Emergency Services Director, Jim Albrights, and Public Health Pharmacy Services Director, Mary Elizabeth Batten, partnered to develop the training. Training included a brief history of the opioid epidemic, symptoms to look for if an overdose is suspected, and a detailed review of administration techniques. It also offered guidance for care after Narcan has been administered.
Naloxone kits are available for free to anyone requesting them, with no questions asked, from the GCDPH and partners UNC Greensboro/GCSTOP, and Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine/NC FIT. Instructions are included and Naloxone is easy for non-medical professionals to administer.
Distribution locations for free naloxone kits, signs of an overdose, and additional resources can be found at www.SaveALifeGuilford.com.
Substance use disorder impacts people across all ages, ethnicities, and income levels. Opioids account for 80% of overdose deaths in Guilford County. “All of us are affected by the opioid epidemic,” adds Batten. “Continuing to strengthen our community partnerships and increase Narcan access throughout Guilford County is a focused effort of the department.”
Batten continued, “This training could not have been developed at a more critical time, as overdoses and overdose deaths are on the rise. Narcan Nasal Spray will be incorporated as part of our emergency kits as well as be available to staff that work out in the community, whether this is a home visit, a community testing event, or vaccine clinic. We want our staff to be prepared, and have all the tools necessary, when they encounter an overdose situation.”
Media Kit Available: This press release, an FAQ, the :30 video, flyers in English and Spanish, and PSA print filler ads may be accessed at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hwHnohiWlaJqqS1YrW9hC28BUaAqXUXf?usp=sharing
About Guilford County Division of Public Health
The Guilford County Division of Public Health is a North Carolina Accredited Health Department serving all residents of Guilford County. The Division provides health and health education services for children, teens, and adults, including immunizations, newborn home visits, HIV/STI testing, behavioral health, JustTEENS, Adopt-a-Mom, QuitSmart Smoking classes, WIC, and more. Learn more at https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/human-services/health-department.
About GCSTOP
The Guilford County Solution to the Opioid Problem (GCSTOP) serves residents of Guilford County. The program was initiated with funding from the State General Assembly to Guilford County’s Emergency Services for the purpose of addressing the County’s increasing incidence of opioid overdoses and opioid related deaths. The funding is being used to support the development and initial implementation of a Rapid Response Team (RRT) intervention, which is designed to prevent repeat overdose and to counsel persistent users to enter treatment or adopt evidence-based harm reduction practices. GCSTOP also provides syringe exchange, harm-reduction training, and community overdose response education. The program serves some of our community’s most vulnerable populations: people who have overdosed and others who are at high risk for opioid related mortality. Learn more at https://gcstop.uncg.edu/.
About NC-FIT
Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine participates in the NC-FIT (formerly incarcerated transition) program. Their mission is to empower community members upon their return from incarceration to become self-sufficient and to reach their health and wellness goals. They connect people with needed health services and assist them with all aspects of re-entry; including housing, job training, legal needs, education, transportation, and life skills. Learn more at https://tapmedicine.com/fit-program/.
