SWAMPSCOTT — The Senior Center will host a Narcan training course for residents to learn how to administer life-saving naloxone treatment to people experiencing opioid overdoses.
Those attending the 11:30 a.m. training course on Wednesday will learn how to recognize, prevent, and respond to an opioid overdose.
Participants will leave with two doses of naloxone — an opioid-overdose reversal drug commonly referred to by its brand name Narcan — as well as fentanyl testing strips and other educational resources.
The Health Department is conducting the training in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Community Naloxone Purchasing Program, which offers free doses to local health departments for public distribution.
“It’s very effective, safe, and easy to use, and it has no potential for misuse,” Public Health Nurse Neia Illingworth said. “We’re offering these training sessions to normalize the use of naloxone with family members, community members, businesses, etc.”
According to the state Department of Public Health’s most recent opioid-overdose data, the number of opioid-related fatal overdoses each year in Essex County increased more than fourfold this decade. In 2011, the Commonwealth reported 57 fatal opioid overdoses in Essex County. In 2021, 288 people in Essex County reportedly died from an opioid overdose.
One of the many factors contributing to the increased opioid death rate is the growing presence of fentanyl — an extremely potent synthetic opioid— mixed in drugs like cocaine or heroin. In 2022, fentanyl was present in more than 93% of all reported opioid deaths in the Commonwealth.
The fentanyl test strips to be distributed at Wednesday’s training event can quickly detect the substance in common street drugs to prevent inadvertent fentanyl use.
“The people that are afflicted with this [substance-use disorder] want a stronger high, and they’ll always look for a stronger high. Fentanyl is one of those things that ups the ante a little bit. They’re putting themselves at risk by not knowing what’s in the drugs they intend to use,” Public Health Director Jeff Vaughan said. “This is to help to stop a fatal overdose before it even begins.”
While the public is invited to join Wednesday’s class for free, participants are encouraged to register in advance by calling the Senior Center. Additionally, Illingworth said that anyone who would like to learn how to administer Narcan can schedule a private training session by calling the Health Department.
“We’re encouraging everyone to use naloxone in the event of an overdose to help save somebody’s life,” Illingworth said.
