Phoenix-area police department to offer class to combat opioid overdose
Sep 27, 2017, 4:46 AM
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
PHOENIX — A Phoenix-area police department is offering a free class that will teach residents how to administer a drug that combats opioid overdoses on Wednesday.
The Paradise Valley Police Department will offer the free class in order to teach people how to administer Naloxone, also known as Narcan, a drug that counteracts opioids to stop overdoses.
The drug is available over-the-counter and can be purchased at drug store like CVS Pharmacy or Walgreens. It is available to anyone whose family member or loved one is suffering from an overdose.
In partnership with the department, CleanSlate Centers will teach users how to identify overdose symptoms, administer nasal Naloxone and deal with the situation once the overdose crisis passes. Users will also get information about how to refer someone into treatment for addiction.
Jonathan Candee with CleanSlate said the program is important because just about anyone can suffer a drug overdose — even the most unlikely of people.
“Grandma was prescribed opioids for a hip replacement and has taken too much medication,” he said. “Or, it counteracted with one of her medications, and she overdosed.”
But the most prominent opiate overdoses are happening in the home, Candee said. “People usually related opioid overdoses with heroin.”
The hour-long class will be offered at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the Paradise Valley Police Department.
