Rockland provides overdose reversal training
ROCKLAND — Rockland police are educating locals on the use of a life-saving overdose-reversal drug.
On January 5, the Rockland Police Department, in partnership with Options Maine and Sweetster Developmental Services, will be holding a public training on how to administer naloxone — which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
The session will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Rockland City Hall council chambers.
According to Detective Sergeant Alexander Gaylor of the Rockland Police Department, the drug — commonly known by the brand name Narcan — can mean the difference between life and death.
“It’s been a problem all over the country and the state and Rockland,” said Gaylor. “The importance of having Narcan and these harm reduction tools is life-saving, literally.”
While the use of naloxone is commonly associated with a fentanyl overdose, officials say the medication is often used to counteract other opioids.
Options Maine, an opioid education group, wants to spread awareness of the issue.
According to Will Bucklin, the options liaison for Knox county, providing an overdosed individual with naloxone is a straightforward process.
“Pull the Narcan out, you would insert it into the nostril… and very much like any allergy medication, you just press the plunger and the naloxone exits,” said Bucklin.
According to mainedrugdata.org, there were 8,488 total overdoses in the state in 2022, as per the most recent data — 565 of which were fatal.
Given the frequency, Bucklin says that everyone should have naloxone in their first aid kit, and wants to assure Mainers that the drug is safe to keep around.
“Comparing it to even ibuprofen, naloxone is very safe. If there’s no opioids in your system it’s gonna have zero effect,” said Bucklin. “The only instance that naloxone has an effect on someone is when there’s opioids in their system.”
To get access to naloxone or learn more about the effects of opioid use, visit knowyouroptions.me.
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