Hundreds receive ‘life-saving’ drug
WEST CHESTER >> On Dec. 13, Chester County officials handed out 492 free doses of naxolone to area residents as part of a state effort to curb the opioid crisis.
There was a steady stream of people who stopped by the Chester County Government Services Center on Westtown Road, one of two places giving out the drug in the county, the second was at the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus on Modena Road in South Coatesville.
“A friend mentioned it was available and I thought It’s better to be prepared,” said Tom Clark of West Chester, who was one of many who stopped in at the Government Services Center on Westtown Road. “I work on campus (WCU) and I encourage everyone to get some.”
Laura Jane Parker of West Chester, came with a friend to pick up her free naxolone. Asked what motivated her she said, “my son died of an overdose, his name was Bexley Gabryelski and he died at age 26. It’s a big problem and it’s very frightening.”
“I don’t want to be standing around as person dies,” said Maria Huggins of Glen Mills. “Something so simple to do but people don’t know about it.”
By 6 p.m officials had given out over 250 packets of the spray at the Government Services Center.
Naloxone, also known by the brand names Narcan or Evzio, is a medication that reverses opioid (prescription painkillers, fentanyl and heroin) overdoses and gives the person a chance at recovery. When given during an opioid overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing within minutes.
“Last year Chester County lost 144 lives to accidental drug overdose, a majority of which involved opioids,” said Vince Brown, Director of the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services. “We are working together, and must continue to work together to provide comprehensive solutions to the opioid epidemic, and access to naloxone is a key part of that. The medication saves lives
Before residents received the medicine they watched a 91 second video from Dr. Rachel Levine, Health Secretary of Pennsylvania explaining how to administer the nasal spray.
“I want to show you today how to save a life using naxolone,” Dr. Levine states in the video. “After administrating naxolone make sure to dial 911 right away, to get the patient proper medical attention.”
Peel the package open, place the tip of the nozzle in the persons nostril and press the plunger firmly to release the dose into the patients nose were the simple instructions.
Dr. Levine also stated naxolone can be obtained without prescriptions at any local pharmacy, however there is a charge for it there.
In addition to the naxolone, county officials also handed out information on how to respond to an overdose emergency, tips on dealing with loved ones suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, and for those looking for outpatient providers.
One pamphlet pointed out what an overdose looks like; the person will not wake or respond, breathing is very slow, is irregular or stopped, pupils are very small and a persons’ fingertips and lips are turning blue or purple.
“The life-saving medication naloxone is essential for all of us to have on hand, particularly if you have a loved one suffering from opioid-use disorder,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “We want to ensure that through this opportunity for free naloxone, we can save more lives and get more Pennsylvanians into treatment. Keeping naloxone in your home, work or even in your car can make the difference between someone getting into treatment or dying from this disease.”
The program was so successful that by 3 p.m. 4,500 doses were handed out throughout the state, some locations even running out, including all locations in neighboring Montgomery County.
Deaths in Pennsylvania attributed to opioids, heroin, and synthetic fentanyl have been increasing yearover-year.
The Chester County overdose prevention task force offers help from opioids at https://stopodchesco.org/