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Narcan Training in Tillamook County

Narcan Training in Tillamook County

Tillamook Family Counseling Center is a partner of OUR (Opioid Use Response) Tillamook, a group of community members and local organizations working together to respond to the estimated 1,700 people in Tillamook County living with opioid use disorder. Designated peer support specialists from TFCC’s Prime+ Program have partnered with the Tillamook Community Health Center to provide harm reduction services at the needle exchanges in Tillamook County. They also provide training to community members and organizations, such as Helping Hands Shelter, Tillamook County employees and the Department of Human Services, on how to recognize an opioid overdose and administer naloxone (Narcan).

 

  • What is naloxone?
    Naloxone is a safe medicine that temporarily reverses an opioid overdose. It can restore normal breathing to a person when their breathing has slowed or stopped. It can be administered as a nasal spray, or injected. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of opioids for 30-90 minutes. However, many opioids can remain in the body longer than that, so a person may stop breathing again when the naloxone wears off. It is very important to call 911 immediately in the event of any overdose so the individual at risk receives immediate medical attention.

 

  • Is Narcan the same thing as naloxone?
    Naloxone is the generic name for the opioid overdose reversal medication. Narcan is the brand name of one of the prepackaged nasal sprays that was first approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration. There are now other formulations and brand names for naloxone, but many people continue to call all of these products “Narcan.” Therefore, if you hear Narcan or naloxone being used, it is understood to be the same thing.

 

  • Why is naloxone training important?
    Naloxone is a safe medication used by medical professionals and other first responders to save lives of those experiencing an opioid overdose. However, it is often too late by the time medical professionals arrive. Family, friends, and community members may also learn how to administer naloxone and have the confidence to recognize an overdose and respond immediately. “There is so much misinformation floating around so I believe it is important to provide facts and statistics that accurately represent the effectiveness of Narcan. When people have correct information and know how things work, we are more confident in our ability to do them right. People are dying every day from opioids, Narcan saves lives!” says Sara Pulver, Prime+ Peer.

 

  • Is naloxone training required in Oregon?
    It is not required to be trained to administer naloxone when responding to someone experiencing an opioid overdose. Oregon has a Good Samaritan law, meaning that if someone administers naloxone in a good faith effort to save someone’s life, they are protected from civil prosecution. However, it is strongly recommended to receive training.

 

  • How can I access naloxone training?
    There are video trainings available online, as well as opportunities in Tillamook County. If you or an organization would like to have naloxone training, contact TFCC’s Prime+ Peers directly by calling Melinda at 971-341-1709, Jennifer at 971-341-1711 or Sara at 971-341-1750. Individuals may also attend a Harm Reduction 1:1 Syringe Exchange in Tillamook County. To find out when these are in Tillamook County, visit OUR Tillamook. You may also contact Rachel Koljesky at the Tillamook County Health Department by email at rkoljesk@co.tillamook.or.us.

 

  • Where can I get Narcan in Tillamook County?
    Narcan can be purchased at your local pharmacy without a prescription from your doctor. However, you may also walk into any clinic with the ability to write a prescription so it may be covered by your health insurance depending on your coverage. Narcan is also available at Harm Reduction 1:1 Syringe Exchanges. To find out when these are in Tillamook County, visit OUR Tillamook. If you would like a supply for your organization, contact OUR Tillamook.In the event of an emergency, opioid rescue kits have been mounted on the inside and outside of various buildings throughout Tillamook County. Anyone may access these kits at any time. Currently, OUR Tillamook is developing a map to help identify where the opioid rescue kits are located. This map will be made available as soon as possible.

More from TFCC’s Prime+ Peers

Why do you think receiving training to administer Narcan is important for community members of Tillamook County?

  • “Our community is no different from other communities in Oregon, and substance use has and continues to be a major concern for various reasons which include loss of life, disruption to families, and increased stresses to already taxed systems of care. Narcan saves lives. Even if you don’t know someone who struggles with substances, there is a chance that you might encounter someone who is actively overdosing. If you carry Narcan and know how to administer it, you could save a life.” -Sara Pulver, Prime+ Peer
  • “Heavy users, recreational users, and even high school-age children are dying from pressed pills and smoking fentanyl. People think IV users are the only ones who overdose, but that is not true. We need this more than ever.” -Jennifer Barksdale, Prime+ Peer
  • “I believe receiving training to administer Narcan is extremely important so that members of our community have access to it and can possibly save a life if they come across someone that is overdosing.” -Melinda Scott, Prime+ Peer

How has having naloxone training affected you and your ability to respond to someone experiencing an opioid overdose?

  • “The more I sit in on trainings and /or explain to my peers how it works, the more I feel confident in my ability to save someone’s life.” -Sara Pulver, Prime+ Peer
  • “The Narcan training explains that it (naloxone) is not harmful. If you think someone is overdosing but are not sure, administering Narcan cannot hurt anyone, including children or pregnant women.” -Jennifer Barksdale, Prime+ Peer
  • “Going through Narcan training has definitely given me the confidence to know that I could provide life saving medication in the event of an overdose.” -Melinda Scott, Prime+ Peer

Additional Resources

-Published February 1, 2023

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