by McKayla Holson, Editorial Editor
Northwestern Oklahoma State University held two Narcan training courses Tuesday.
The courses promote awareness of opioid misuse and abuse. Instructors hoped to train students and faculty on how to respond to an overdose emergency.
“I feel like, if we bring awareness and stuff like this to campus, more people are going to be apt to talk about their problems rather than keep it secret and maybe overdose and potentially kill themselves,” said Taylor Wilson, director of counseling and career services.
The university held the training courses after receiving the State of Oklahoma’s Opioid Response Grant. Five other universities throughout the state also received the grant.
Charita Mcosker with the Northwest Center of Behavioral Health spoke at the training sessions.
Mcosker said the center is a Narcan “hub.” This means part of the organization’s job is to provide Narcan to public entities.
Mcosker demonstrated how to administer Narcan nasal spray, and she touched on the dangers of the opioid crisis.
Mcosker said Tulsa is the area “hardest hit” by the opioid crisis in Oklahoma. In northwest Oklahoma, Enid is the hardest hit. This could be due to the city’s high homeless population and its large population in general, she said.
Wilson said the training would be beneficial in the event a student overdoses on campus. Now, that student will be able to get help until medical personnel arrive, as Narcan buys the victim time.
“This [the training] can be beneficial in a sense of emergency,” Wilson said. She said it can essentially save someone’s life.
Northwestern does not necessarily have a problem with opioids, but some say it is good to bring awareness to opioid abuse, she said.
“Every campus is going to have something,” Wilson said. “But if you don’t bring awareness to it, people aren’t going to feel comfortable to talk about it.”
What is Narcan?
Narcan is the brand name of the naloxone HCI medication. Narcan is used in the treatment of an opioid emergency. An opioid emergency can include overdose or possible overdose. The Narcan provided at the training courses comes in the form of a nasal spray.
Narcan is one of two products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for community use as of June 1, 2017.
When administered, Narcan reverses the effects of an overdose.
Narcan should be given right away, but it does not take the place of emergency medical care. Even if the person wakes up after Narcan has been administered, he or she should still get emergency medical help immediately. Narcan is only a temporary reversal of the effects of opioids.
Mcosker suggested calling emergency services and then immediately administering Narcan.
Narcan is administered by inserting the device into the person’s nostril and then spraying it. According to http://www.narcan.com, Narcan does not have to be inhaled. Narcan nasal spray was designed to be absorbed into the blood stream through the lining of the nose, nasal mucosa. Because of this, breathing is not required.
How do you know if someone is suffering from an overdose?
Narcan.com says to use the spray “right away” if you notice any signs or symptoms of an opioid emergency.
Narcan is not harmful if it is administered to a person not suffering from an overdose emergency.
If someone thinks another person has an opioid emergency, it is best to call emergency services, administer the Narcan, and then allow emergency personnel to determine what the emergency is. Severe injury or death can be caused by opioid emergencies.
Signs and symptoms of an opioid emergency can include sleepiness, breathing issues, a black circle in the center of the pupil, confusion, and pale or blue skin.
Those administering Narcan who have had proper training are protected under the Good Samaritan Law.
While Narcan is not harmful to people who are not suffering from an opioid emergency, those who are suffering from one can experience withdraw symptoms.
These may include nausea or vomiting, weakness, shivering or trembling, body aches, sweating, fever, increased heart rate, and other symptoms.
Because of the nausea and vomiting symptoms, Mcosker suggested placing the potential victim on his or her side.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as people with heart problems, should talk to their doctors before using Narcan nasal spray.
Those allergic to naloxone hydrochloride or any of the ingredients in the Narcan spray should not use the spray.
For more information, check out http://www.narcan.com, http://www.drugfree.org, or http://www.odmhsas.org. You can also contact the Northwest Center of Behavioral Health at (580) 327-1112 or contact Taylor Wilson at (580) 327-8547 or tawilson@nwosu.edu.