Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Copper Shores has begun training everyday people and first responders how to look out for an opioid overdose. Recently the group met for the first community training opportunity in Lake Linden. Outreach coordinators shared important information says youth development coordinator Callisto Cortez with a few residents.
“It’s very effective in reversing the opiate overdose, but it does not reverse any from other drugs. It’s specific to opiates. And so this is a great life-saving tool, especially for police, firefighters, EMTs, but even the everyday community member as well.” – Callisto Cortez, Youth Development Coordinator, Copper Shores Outreach and Education.
Cortez acknowledges that Narcan’s most commonly thought-of use is associated with opioid addiction. While it is important to understand the signs of an overdose for someone challenged by addiction, Opioid overdoses can impact older Americans too.
“It is important that you have Narcan on hand just in case, especially if you are prescribed something that’s a higher dosage as well. But then if you do have people that you know, friends, or other community members who might have a substance use disorder or are struggling with addiction. And having that on hand, to be a person who can help save them, that’s important.” – Callisto Cortez, Youth Development Coordinator, Copper Shores Outreach and Education.
Narcan or Naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose and save a life. The single-dose, one-time-use applicator administers the medication via the nasal passage.
“Typically you’re going to see somebody who is almost lethargic, out of it. A lot of the time, if you are experiencing an overdose, you might become unconscious. You’ll have kind of blue lips, and it can be present on your fingertips as well. There’s very shallow breathing that’s happening. And there could be the potential that that person might not be breathing at all.” – Callisto Cortez, Youth Development Coordinator, Copper Shores Outreach and Education.
Tomorrow evening Copper Shores will host the second Narcan training opportunity in the Copper Country. Attendees will meet Copper Shores at the Portage Lake District Library beginning at 6:30 pm. The third training opportunity with Copper Shores will be held on the 23rd at the Ojibwa Community Library in Baraga. Those interested in learning more about Narcan or naloxone, or want to register for the Copper Shores training opportunity can find more details here.
