URI Community First Responder Program hosts Narcan distribution event, informational session

KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — URI’s Community First Responder Program (CRFP) hosted a Narcan nasal spray distribution event today outside the Hope Valley Wyoming Fire Station. They provided informational fliers and gave demonstrations in addition to the Narcan itself.

Narcan, a brand of naloxone, is known as the reversal agent for an opioid overdose. It can restore breathing for someone in the midst of an overdose, and the CRFP are providing resources to the community as for how to recognize and respond to an overdose.

RIDOH issued a RI Overdose Action Area Response (ROAAR) alert in the East Greenwich, West Greenwich, Hopkinton, Exeter, Richmond region indicating there have been an increase in opioid overdoses there. East Providence police also issuing a public health alert earlier this week for an increase in overdoses.

Dr. Anita Jacobson, Clinical Professor at URI College of Pharmacy and Program Director of CRFP, explained the important of having an event like this.
“We came here because we wanted to be in the middle of that region, where people could find us, and it’s not a stigmatized environment, it’s just the fire station so that people don’t need to feel anxious coming down. It’s free, it’s anonymous, it’s confidential. We just want people to have this. We don’t need to know why, we don’t need any information other than to educate them how to use it.”

The community has seen overdoses from prescription pain medicine, as well as from fentanyl, which has been found in cocaine, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills, among other drugs. Many times, Jacobson says, people are not aware that there is fentanyl in their drugs.

Common signs of an overdose include slow breathing, trouble waking up, and turning pale. Immediate steps to take are calling 9-1-1, giving naloxone, and then performing CPR if the person doesn’t respond.

Administering Narcan to someone who isn’t actually having an overdose will not harm them. Dr. Jacobson stresses that it is a myth that fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin, therefore no one will overdose from helping someone with a fentanyl overdose.

Visit here for more details. Anyone who missed this event can also request a Narcan kit and/or fentanyl strips to be delivered through the mail.