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 While the end goal of the Community Health
Collaborative is to eradicate addiction within our community, the
immediate goal is to assist those in overdose to survive.
The facts show that while many addicts want to stop, it is difficult
because the ramifications of withdrawal, including the horrid nausea
and vomiting, often leads them back to their addiction.
Once an addict goes an extended period without his or her drug of
choice, overdoses can be achieved more quickly because the body has
begun the process of living without the drug, and therefore needs
less than it did before the withdraw.
Because of this, many addicts who attempt to get away from their
addiction end up overdosing.
Once the life is gone, then obviously there is no hope for that
person to recover with the possibility of regaining a healthy
lifestyle and happy relationships with family.
Narcan is a drug that is used to revive a person who
is in overdose and unresponsive. It is available for use by all
first responders in Logan County, but because it will not harm a
person if given unnecessarily, it can be given to an unresponsive
person by anyone who has possession of the proper dosage and knows
how to administer the drug.
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At today's Wellness Expo, Chris Schaffner of the
Peoria Human Service Center, will be offering a 45-minute discussion
on the signs and symptoms of drug dependency, the signs of
withdrawal, the use of Naloxone (Narcan) and how to properly store
the drug until it might be needed.
Schaffner will also offer demonstrations on how to administer the
drug.
Those who may be interested in receiving this training could be
family members of addicts, or it could be people involved in
community service programs.
This is a no questions asked event, where no person will be asked to
explain why they are taking the training. Everyone in the training
session will also be given a free Narcan Kit, again, no questions
asked.
This special event will be held in the Lincoln Park District
Ballroom starting at 9:30 a.m. The session should last about 45
minutes.
Narcan Kits will also be available throughout the day in the regular
vendor area at the Expo.
[Nila Smith]
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