Logan County Department of Public Health to offer naloxone training and free naloxone

[April 02, 2019]  To help decrease the amount of fatal deaths due to overdose, Logan County Department of Public Health (LCDPH) is offering a free naloxone training to the public on Wednesday, April 3rd, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Naloxone is a nasal spray inhalant medication that, when administered to the victim, counteracts the effects of opioids within minutes and can save a life.

The number of overdose deaths from prescription and illicit opioids are on the rise. According to the CDC, there are 192 overdose deaths daily and 1 out of 30 overdoses are fatal. In 2018 there was a 30% increase in overdoses and a 69.7% increase in the Midwest. Unfortunately, Logan County residents over the years have become a part of these statistics.

Naloxone was originally developed for first responders who have used the product to save lives throughout the country and in Logan County. Now the product is available to individuals at risk of an opioid overdose or to their family members, friends or others who may assist someone in the event of an opioid overdose.

The naloxone training at LCDPH will include education of various types of drugs including fentanyl, the effects of opioid use, the Good Samaritan Law, and the proper techniques of administering naloxone. Participants who attend the training will receive free naloxone.

You can register for this training by calling Salena Matson at 217-735-2317 or by e-mail at smatson@ lcdph.org.  Snacks and refreshments will be provided. For more information regarding services offered at Logan County Department of Public Health, you can log onto their website at WWW.LCDPH.ORG.

[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP
Public Health Administrator
Logan County Department of Public Health]