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OPIATE AWARENESS PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Posted on: December 29, 2014 - 3:34pm

 

This is a public health message from the Scituate Board of Health, Scituate Police Department, and The Scituate FACTS Coalition.  Fifty people in Plymouth County alone were lost to overdose from prescription opiates and heroin in 2014. Due to the rise in opiate overdose deaths across Massachusetts in the month of December, we want to ensure that all residents have the information they need to save a life.

Risks for Overdose

State Police are working with local and federal authorities to determine if the recent deaths are attributed to an especially strong strain of heroin.  While there may be a heightened risk for heroin overdose at this time, residents should be advised that every time someone uses heroin they are at risk for overdose.

Opiate overdose is also common after a period of abstinence – such as getting out of treatment, hospital, jail, or relapse.  Mixing heroin or prescription Opiates [Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, Norco, Zohydro); Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, RoxyCodone, Endocet); Methadone; Morphine; Fentanyl; Codeine] with alcohol, Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium), or Gabapentin is also extremely dangerous and can lead to overdose death.

Preventing Overdose

  1. If you are using opiates, please do not use alone.Overdose is not always immediate.

  2. Know the signs of overdose:slowed breathing, coughing/snoring/rattling sound, turning blue. If you are unable to wake the person up, perform a sternum rub (use your knuckles to apply pressure up and down the space between the individual’s breastbone). If this does not wake the individual up, he/she is overdosing.

  3. Always call 911 first, even if you have Narcan. Provide the address and town, and simply state that someone you are with is unconscious. You do not need to provide information about drugs ingested at this time. Scituate ambulances and fire trucks carry Naloxone (Narcan) and will arrive as soon as possible.

  4. If you have Nasal Naloxone (Narcan), spray half a dose in each nostril.

  5. Perform rescue breathing and wait for the ambulance to arrive.

Save a life: Call 911 no matter what.  There is a new law in the State of Massachusetts called “The Good Samaritan Law.” Bystanders will no longer be charged for being present where heroin is kept or for possession of drugs or paraphernalia. (There are exceptions for outstanding warrants and distribution quantities.) Please do not clean up the area before calling 911. Stay with the person and perform rescue breathing.

Be aware that Nasal Naloxone (Narcan) will wear off – and the victim may go back into overdose. It is important to call 911 and make sure the victim gets to the hospital for full treatment, even if you have administered Nasal Naloxone (Narcan).

How to obtain your own Nasal Naloxone (Narcan) Kit

  • Walgreen’s Pharmacy: Nasal Naloxone kits are now available without a prescription to anyone at Walgreen’s pharmacies, including the Cohasset branch at Shaw’s Plaza on Chief Justice Cushing Highway; in Marshfield, Weymouth and most other Walgreen’s pharmacies throughout the state.  Most insurance companies cover Nasal Naloxone through the prescription co-payment plan for generic medicines.  Individuals may also choose to pay cash. Narcan is 100% covered through MassHealth plans.

  • Manet Community Health Center:  For confidential training on overdose prevention and a free Narcan kit, please call Manet Community Health at 1-857-939-4108, to schedule a one-on-one appointment. Free Hepatitis C and HIV screens are also available during the same appointment.

  • Learn to Cope Meetings:  Confidential training on overdose prevention and free Nasal Naloxone (Narcan) kits are available at all meetings through a Department of Public Health pilot program. Weekly meetings are held throughout the state (closest are in Norwell, Quincy and Brockton). Please check the website: www.learn2cope.org. No appointment is necessary.

Treatment and Support

There is hope for recovery from opiate addiction. Concerned family members and friends are encouraged to find the support they need at a Learn to Cope support meeting. These are closed, peer-led meetings for individuals directly impacted by opiates, alcohol or other drugs. The next Norwell group meets on Thursday, January 8, 2015 in the cafeteria of Longwater Place at 141 Longwater Drive in Norwell at 7:00 pm.  A 24-Hour Message Board is also available at www.learn2cope.org.

The Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services also offers a free helpline to assist residents with finding all levels of care (from detox beds to sober housing) at 1-800-327-5050 or www.helpline-online.com

If you would like assistance navigating treatment options, please contact Annmarie Galvin at The Scituate FACTS Coalition office at 781-378-1061; or scituateFACTS@gmail.com for an appointment.