Naloxone, sometimes called the “overdose drug” can save lives but training on how to administer it is an important first step.
About 15 people gathered at the New Beginnings outreach Centre in Kamsack on April 18 to receive training on when and how to properly administer this opioid antidote.
Four members of various health organizations were on hand to train individuals on the proper use and administration of the drug.
Instructors were: Deanna Bartok with public health, Sask Health Authority in Yorkton; Shana Moroz, Kamsack public health; Jackie Ellis, Sask Health Authority in Yorkton, and Cassandra Whalley of Health Canada’s First Nation and Inuit branch.
It was made clear to those in attendance that Naloxone, the generic name for the drug Narcan, is not intended to replace emergency care. The objective of the training was to make people feel confident in using the emergency kits, but the drug does wear off, so it is imperative to seek outside medical attention for someone who has suffered from an opioid overdose and been given the overdose drug.
Each Naloxone kit contains two doses. After the first dose is administered, a second dose may be required if the individual remains unresponsive. Outside medical help must be sought as quickly as possible.
Participants of the training program were told that Naloxone can be administered either by injection or nasal spray. Both methods work the same and are equally as effective, and kits for both contain two doses.
Naloxone only works for an opioid, or “downer” overdose in which drugs such as heroin, fentanyl and OxyContin/Vicodin are used, so being aware of the symptoms is very important, it was said.
Course participants were told that the drug will be ineffective in treating an overdose caused by “uppers” which include cocaine and amphetamines, and alcohol.
“The drug will not reverse an upper overdose, but it will not harm the individual, so if in doubt, administer the overdose drug and seek immediate medical attention,” it was said.
An individual given Naloxone will wake up in instant withdrawal, so he or she may feel unwell and possibly angry,” it was said. “It is important to try to keep them from using more drugs to feel better, and also watch them closely while waiting for help to arrive; they may need a second dose.”
Participants were advised on proper storage of the kits, although if the contents were used on someone who was not in an overdose situation, he or she would be unharmed by the drug.
Upon completion of the training, each participant was given a certificate and a Naloxone kit.
