Narcan training promotes lifesaving skills
Mar. 27—Tahlequah Public Library patrons learned lifesaving skills with an opioid antidote during a training session presented by the Cherokee County Health Services Council.
Marcus Buchanan, CCHSC Rural Communities Opioid Response Program director, said the Tuesday night event marked the first quarterly community Narcan administration training, which has been taking place throughout the area for the past three years. Buchanan said the training kicked off a new Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant, which focuses on overdose prevention.
Buchanan said the grant and the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training sessions are meant to help stop the stigmatization of Narcan and make it as accessible as possible.
"The actual name is Naloxone. Narcan is the nasal form of the Naloxone. It's the only proven overdose antidote for opioids," Buchanan said.
Adair, Mayes, Rogers, and Cherokee counties are the areas impacted by this grant. Buchanan said four trainings per year will be scheduled in each county.
"The main goal by the end of this grant is for people to look at Narcan as Tylenol," Buchanan said. "Just so innocent. Something mom and grandma would have in their purse, they'd have on the counter, in the medicine cabinet. It's nothing to be afraid of. It's just there when you need it."
Buchanan said individuals should look at Narcan training as CPR or first aid classes, as they require basic skills to help save a potential life.
According to a fact sheet, Cherokee County has the 32nd-highest opioid-related death rate in Oklahoma, with 45 unintentional drug overdose deaths taking place.
Training participants experienced the hands-on aspect of administering Narcan to a mannequin. Participants had to speak loudly to the mannequin and rub its chest with their knuckles, so the "person" would know it was about to receive Narcan and to ensure the individual was not just sleeping.
After trying to "wake up" the mannequin, the participants had to lay the mannequin on its back and administer the Narcan, before placing it on its side in the recovery position.
Robert Jones was among those who practiced administering Narcan to a mannequin. The training allowed him gain more skills, as he is already certified as a peer recovery support specialist.
"It will make the community more aware," Jones said. "I've run into some people who are on fentanyl, and it's pretty bad."
Moriah Ellis also administered Narcan to the mannequin, an experience she said helped her learn a little more, especially when it came to the hand movements on the person's chest.
"Hands-on work also comes into play for different learners," Ellis said.
What's next
The next Narcan-related event will be at Norris Park, Saturday, April 13, from noon to 2 p.m., when free prizes and Narcan will be available to the public. For more information about upcoming training or events, go to Opioid 918 on Facebook.
