By Alicia Bishop \/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jessica Ellis, a member of the Harm Reduction and Diversion Department (HRDD), gave a presentation Aug 31. about Narcan in the Beneficial-Hodson Library. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ellis talks about compassionate overdose response and how, when and why to use Narcan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Narcan, Ellis said, is the nasal spray form of Naloxone. It temporarlily blocks and reverses the effects of opioids. Since opioids slow breathing, Narcan allows a person in an overdose to breathe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ellis gave 5 steps on how to deploy: Stimulate pain, call 911, give naloxone, watch, and stay by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stimulating pain means checking responsiveness. Call out and rub knuckles to the ribcage with pressure or stick a nail in the cuticle. If the person is unresponsive, call 911 immediately. Narcan can wear off after use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then administer Narcan; the head should be tilted back while their neck is supported. Put the pump in the nose and spray once. Overuse of Narcan will force a withdrawal that could hurt the user or encourage more drug use as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wait one to three minutes to give the Narcan time to work, checking their responsiveness, lucidity and breathing. If they are not breathing, administer another dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Staying with them throughout the overdose prevents the person from using any more. Remember to keep them calm and put them in the recovery position. Roll them on their side, pull their knee out and brace their hand under their head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ellis assured students that it\u2019s impossible to get high from skin-to-skin contact. The only way to get high is to ingest it, which can be prevented by washing contact zones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ellis remarks that 75% of heroin use starts from prescription doses. Overdose can happen for animals like drug-sniffing dogs and elders who forget how much medicine to take. Training demonstrations, she said, are for the sake of “preparedness\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think you never know when you may experience someone who is overdosing and have the opportunity to save someone’s life,\u201d Ellis said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When using drugs, Ellis recommended testing them before use and taking them in small amounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ellis recommended the Street Safe Program. SSP provides overdose prevention sites, peer support and sterile drug equipment. Free Narcan is in drop boxes around libraries, hospitals and motels in Frederick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople who want to use drugs are going to use drugs whether they have access to sterile equipment or not,\u201d Ellis said <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a student needs assistance outside of an emergency, call the Frederick County Health Department at 301-600-777.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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