Narcan (Naloxone) can block or reverse the effects of opioids in the brain was the comments from our guest speaker, Amy Wheat on Friday, May 09th. A few quick changes from the School District, to the Buzz Inn to the IHOP restaurant.

There are opioid outreach specialists in Snohomish county because there is an opioid epidemic. They are available to educate the public because they have found education helps to reduce the stigma surrounding opioid use. Natural opiates include morphine, codeine, and opium. Synthetic and lab created opiates are opioids such as oxycodone, methadone, and fentanyl. Many people get addicted to opioids from medical and dental prescriptions. Opioids are drugs where people develop a high tolerance and need to take more to get the same effect. Combining opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines (depressants) results in a higher risk of overdosing. When opioid receptors become full in the brain that is when you stop breathing resulting in an overdose. This is where Narcan Nasal spray comes into play. We learned how and when and the proper steps to deliver a dose of Narcan. A Good Samaritan Naloxone law exists in Washington state. This law covers you from legal responsibility of civil or criminal prosecution if you administer Narcan. Narcan is highly effective and will not harm someone if they are actually not overdosing and having a different medical emergency. Narcan nasal spray is just as effective as IV administered Naloxone.

Visit phra.org to get a free Narcan kit mailed to you in Washington state.

Christine Egelstad