Let’s train together: Date now April 2
Opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, methadone and oxycodone have killed thousands of Californians and sent tens of thousands more to the emergency room in each of the past several years. An easy-to-administer treatment called naloxone, also known as Narcan, can save the life of someone who is overdosing on opioids. In nearly 40% of overdose deaths, another person was present, who could have administered naloxone if they had had it.
Therefore, at the urging of Barbara Smith-Thomas, who takes charge of safety issues for UUCPA, and other members, I’ve ordered naloxone, and can now tell you that if you order it from the Santa Clara County Opioid Overdose Prevention Project (SCCOOPP), it will arrive within several days.
I encourage you to order it today if:
- you or someone you know is at increased risk for opioid overdose
- you or someone you know struggles with opioid use disorder (OUD)
- you or someone you know has been prescribed high-dose opioid medications (greater or equal to 50 morphine milligram equivalents per day)
- you or someone you know uses both opioids and benzodiazepines (examples of the latter are Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Halcion)
- you want to be able to recognize the signs of opioid overdose and save a life
- you want to help equip UUCPA with anti-overdose measures, just as we have defibrillators and first aid supplies.
Naloxone is not itself an addictive drug, nor dangerous if applied to someone who is not having an overdose. Having it on hand is like having an EpiPen for someone at risk of dangerous allergic reactions. (Source: Center for Disease Control: Lifesaving Naloxone)
Free Narcan for people with Santa Clara County addresses (they will respond with a cryptic email. Just respond to it with your mailing address)
If you do not live in Santa Clara County, call a local pharmacy–many carry it.
If you’d like to be part of this solution, please order some today and mark your calendar for (please note new date) Tuesday, April 2, 6-6:30 pm to join me in watching a brief training and learning what UUCPA is doing for opioid safety. We’ll gather via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 972 3162 0547
Passcode: 368610
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