Naloxone handout puts lifesaving drug in public’s hands
Kevin Reeves hopes a Narcan handout on Friday not only places the lifesaving overdose antidote in more hands, but raises awareness about the drug.
Reeves, care coordinator at Trilogy Wellness, an addiction treatment center on Hansen Avenue, said the dose of naloxone in Narcan can be delivered nasally by anyone, similar to an over-the-counter nasal decongestant or allergy treatment like Flonase.
The dose of naloxone will not adversely affect anyone who receives it and does not interact with any medications, Reeves said.
For example, if someone who carries naloxone comes upon an unconscious individual and administers the nasal dose, even if the person has had a heart attack or stroke, the dose will cause no harm to the individual, he said.
Reeves packed up six cases of Narcan, set up a small pavilion tent on North Main Street, and asked the rain-sodden passersby if they want a box.
He said the event marked the third time Trilogy Wellness has passed out free Narcan to the public.
The first event, in October near Dunkin Donuts on North Main Street, saw his supply of Narcan depleted in one hour.
But the remnants of the hurricane that recently hit Florida saw far fewer pedestrians brave the rain on Main Street Friday.
Lily Zacherl, a 2020 Slippery Rock High School graduate and current California University of Pennsylvania student, accepted one of Reeves’ two-dose boxes of Narcan when it was offered.
“I’m getting my degree in disaster management, so if I can help someone, all the better,” Zacherl said.
She has carried naloxone before, but has not yet had occasion to use it.
“I keep it in my backpack,” Zacherl said.
She appreciated the effort by Trilogy Wellness to distribute naloxone.
“A lot of people would want to carry it, but don’t know where to start or how to get it,” she said.
Reeves said each dose lasts about three years before it expires, and instructions on administering the drug are included in the packaging.
He said about a dozen two-dose boxes of Narcan per week are handed out for free at Trilogy Wellness, and naloxone, the active ingredient in Narcan, is available free at most drug stores.
“We’re trying to get Narcan out to the public and trying to save some lives,” Reeves said.
He said some people wave him off when he offers a box of Narcan, or inquire why they would need to carry it.
“I say ‘If it were your daughter or sister or nephew who overdosed, you sure would hope someone had Narcan,” Reeves said. “I tell them ‘You could be the hero in that situation.’”
He said unfortunately, addiction within families is much more prevalent now.
“Some kids think addiction is normal behavior, which is sad,” Reeves said.
He said anyone can pick up a box of free Narcan at Trilogy Wellness in Hansen Plaza from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Tuesdays and noon to 5:45 p.m. Thursdays.
“We’re trying really hard to break the stigma,” Reeves said.
