From The Board: Upcoming Opioid Overdose Prevention and Nasal Narcan Training

By LAUREN DUSTIN (Open Post)

Upcoming Opioid Overdose Prevention and Nasal Narcan Training

Sponsored by the Melrose and Wakefield Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions

Thursday June 25th, 2015 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Americal Civic Center 467 Main St Wakefield, MA

Open to residents of Melrose, Wakefield and all surrounding communities.

On June 25th, 2015 from 6 – 8 pm at the Americal Civic Center 467 Main St. Wakefield, the Melrose & Wakefield Prevention Coalitions are hosting a training on opioid overdose prevention. The training will discuss how to recognize an opioid overdose and how to best respond to this medical emergency. Participants will also be taught how to administer nasal Narcan (a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses) and will leave with a supply of the life-saving drug.

The session will cover:

• What are opioids?
• What is an overdose?
• Basic risks (purity of drug, dangers of mixing drugs, tolerance changes)
• Recognizing an overdose (signs & symptoms)
• Responding to an overdose
• How to use Nasal Narcan

Mary Wheeler, Director of Healthy Streets Outreach, a program of Northeast Behavioral Health, will facilitate the training. Substance abuse treatment information and resources will also be available. For more information please contact Jennifer Kelly, Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, at jkelly@cityofmelrose.org or 781-979-4128.