SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Death due to opioid drug overdose has become a nationwide epidemic, and Central New York is no exception. Luckily, there is a way to combat this – through Narcan training and distribution.
Narcan is a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose until emergency services arrive. When administered correctly, Narcan takes just two to three minutes to get to the brain and stop the overdose. It can prevent effects for up to 90 minutes until paramedics take over.
The Onondaga County Health Department has been making efforts to educate the county on the importance of Narcan. People are becoming more open to the idea of giving someone Narcan, the county health department said.
“The public acceptance and perception of it has changed exponentially. [Narcan is] way more common now,” Mariah Senecal-Reilly of the County Health Department said.
A New York state legislator has proposed wider access to Narcan kits throughout the state, but access isn’t a concern in Onondaga County. If needed, the County Health Department is willing to deliver Narcan kits to residents, Senecal-Reilly said. The kits include two Narcan nasal sprays, a Rescue Breathing Face Shield, a pair of rubber gloves, and instructions on how to properly give a dose of Narcan.
In addition to free Narcan kits, the Onondaga County Health Department offers free online Narcan training.