Narcan kit training set for March 15 at MyHouse

WASILLA — The initial offering of Narcan training and distribution to the public is scheduled for Wednesday, March 15 at MyHouse in Wasilla.

Andy Jones, chief of rural and community health systems for the state's department of health and social services, said there are approximately 800 Narcan kits available for free distribution. Narcan (naloxone) is a prescription drug used to immediately stop the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose such as respiratory arrest. Free drug deactivation bags will also be available at no charge.

Jones spent more than a month assembling Narcan "kits" of two doses of the drug, administering information, needed safety items such as gloves and related items. Everything is packed into a small case which can be carried in a jacket or purse. The State of Alaska secured funding to purchase a planned 5,000 nasal doses of the drug.

Narcan temporarily blocks or reverses the effects of opioids. In most cases the effect is immediate (within 30- 40 seconds), blocking the effects of the overdose and allowing the person to breathe again. This gives time to seek emergency medical assistance. Narcan has no potential for abuse and will have no effect if accidentally administered or self-administered.

The drug will be distributed at no charge. However, before it can be distributed to the general public, participants must go through a short, informal training session. That will take place at the March 15 gathering at MyHouse. Jones said the session will take approximately one hour, including paperwork if needed.

"It's very basic stuff. If it's an individual who wants one, there's no application. If they want two or three kits, we definitely will want to talk about it. We don't want people to take it if they don't truly have a need," Jones said. He said the program is hoping to continue growing its base of interested entities such as support groups. Jones said the plan is to have them act as a clearing house to provide training and become Narcan distributors.

Jones said he's busily organizing things for the next round of kit-building. The first round completed with volunteer help last month, resulted in the assembly of some 1,500. Narcan distribution is just part of the state's assault plan on opioid addiction. He said the goal is to provide some kind of related monthly training session.

In addition to the Narcan training, Jones said prescription drug deactivation bags will be available. He said the state has secured 25,000 of the biodegradable plastic bags. Users simply pour their unneeded prescription into the bag, add water and shake. The bags contain activated charcoal which immediately renders the drugs inert. The entire package can then be safely disposed of in regular refuse.

Jones encouraged individuals to only take what they feel is needed. He is in the process of implementing a distribution network so the bags are more accessible to the public. For more information on the Narcan, support and resources, go to http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Director/Pages/heroin-opioids/narcan.aspx.