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Drug can reverse the effects of heroin overdose to prevent death

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition will offer free Naloxone (also referred to by its brand name as Narcan®) kits and training sessions on how to administer  it to reverse the effects of overdose from heroin and other opioid drugs to prevent death.

Training sessions are open to the general public including first responders and to the family and friends of those who use heroin or other opioid drugs.   Each training session takes about 15 minutes to complete.  Training sessions will be held continuously on Monday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Department of Public Health and Wellness, 400 E. Gray St.

“Our city, our state and much of our nation are in the midst of a heroin epidemic,” said Dr. Sarah Moyer, interim director of the Department of Public Health and Wellness.  “Jefferson County has the most drug overdose deaths of any county in the state as well as the most overdose deaths in which heroin was detected.  Having more people in our city trained to administer Naloxone will literally make the difference between life and death.”

Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) is a medication called an “opioid antagonist” used to counter the effects of opioid overdose.  Naloxone is used in heroin and other opioid drug overdoses to counteract life-threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system, allowing an overdose victim to breathe normally.

“We can’t give someone a better tomorrow if we can’t save their life today,” said Dr. Moyer.  “I encourage everyone to learn about this life-saving drug.”

No registration or advance notice is required to attend the sessions.