Hone Opioid Response Skills at Training
Members of the community who might be in the position to save the life of someone who is at risk of dying from an opioid overdose can be trained to help, even when emergency medical services are not immediately available. The St. Mary’s County Health Department, frequently supported in part by MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, is the location for several sessions for qualified individuals to be trained.
Once they are trained, participants will be able to obtain a prescription for naloxone (Narcan), which is a medication that can quickly restore the breathing of a person who has overdosed on heroin or prescription opioid pain medication.
A training session is set for Nov. 2 from 10 am to noon and Dec. 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
The training program, known as the Overdose Response Program, was created in 2014 by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The free sessions are made for anyone who might be in a situation to help an overdosing person, like parents, caregivers, and others whose social, occupational, or family experiences might bring them to these circumstances. Participants will first learn to recognize the signs of overdose, then the importance of calling 911, and then how to administer naloxone and care for the person until emergency medical help arrives.
Anyone older than 18 is eligible for the training. Those who should participate include those with close contacts to people using opioids, as well as people who are users themselves, whether by prescription or abuse. The people who should receive a prescription of naloxone include anyone who has a history of IV drug use or misuse of prescription opioids or has been hospitalized for overdose. Visit here for more information.
Click here to register for an upcoming class.
For more information about the ORP or to schedule a group training, contact Jessica Hartman, Overdose Response Program administrator, at 301-475-4297 or by email at [email protected].
For more information and one-click access to a full list of resources available at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, visit their Leader Page.
