LUBBOCK, Texas—Covenant Medical Center last week provided local nonprofit organization Open Door with education on spotting the signs of overdose and administering the life-saving drug Narcan for opioid overdoses.
Chad Wheeler, CEO of Open Door, said:
A week later, Austin officials reported 51 overdoses in one day, with nine people dying from “lethal doses” of opioids distributed throughout the city.
Wheeler said their program is effective for people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and sex trafficking, where substance abuse may occur and who want to be prepared in case of an overdose. He said there is.
“We are trained in Narcan to know how to care for people who may be suffering from an opioid overdose and how to keep them alive until EMS arrives. I wanted to be equipped with the tools and the knowledge,” Wheeler said. He said.
Philip Cook, a clinical pharmacist at Covenant Medical Center, assisted in a briefing with Zachary Williams, a paramedic.
Cook said it's something everyone should be familiar with since the drug became available over the counter.
“I think the fact that Narcan is available over the counter should put a lot of awareness into how available it is and how easy it is to administer,” Cook said. “I mean, it's something that anyone who knows, anyone who takes prescription opioids, or has a history of opioid use knows. It's potentially life-saving, and it's very easy to It’s something that we need to be careful about because it’s something that can be administered.”
Cook said other nonprofits and schools have also expressed interest in information sessions on administering Narcan.
If you have concerns about using Narcan or would like to have Narcan on hand, he recommended contacting your pharmacy.
“Ask your pharmacy where you can fill a prescription. If someone feels it's appropriate to get Narcan, they can direct you to a safe place to get it,” Cook said.
Wheeler and his staff are now not only familiar with administering the medication, but also learning about overdose symptoms and when to take Narcan.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), symptoms of overdose include difficulty breathing, pinpoint pupils, and loss of consciousness.
Wheeler said these can be confused with other health fears such as diabetic shock or stroke, but Narcan can also be administered if there is concern.
“It's not harmful to use. The training is to administer Narcan if you see signs of an overdose, if you suspect an overdose,” Wheeler said. “Otherwise, giving Narcan won't hurt, but if it's an opioid overdose, it can potentially save your life.”
Wheeler said he has only administered Narcan once for a suspected overdose at Open Door, but since meeting with Covenant he has always been available.
“What's happening in the larger region will eventually come to Lubbock,” Wheeler said. “We want to be prepared, and we want to be ready in case there's an issue that we have to deal with here,” Wheeler said.