February 7, 2018 (Wheeling, WV) – The Wheeling-Ohio County Department will offer free trainings and Narcan to Ohio Valley First Responders as part of the departments expanded Harm Reduction Program.

Narcan is a medication that reverses the effects of an opiate overdose very quickly. When administered correctly, the nasal spray Narcan restores breathing that has been dangerously slowed by an overdose of heroin or prescription painkillers. Narcan works within a minute or two and gives emergency responders time to get the person to a hospital.

The Health Department has received a small supply of 4mg Naloxone (Narcan) Nasal Spray from the West Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition. The 4mg Narcan Kit (kit contains 2 4mg doses of Naloxone HCI in 0.1ml of nasal spray) is being offered to area First Responders. First Responders may include, but are not limited to, fire departments, law enforcement, probation officers, and other entities that qualify as a first responder. The Narcan kits provided through this donation are not available to the general public (those not considered first responders).

Narcan is a life-saving drug that can revive overdose victims. Narcan helps restore breathing to a person who is overdosing from opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription drugs such as oxycontin, oxycodone and fentanyl. It also is used to reverse the effects of narcotic drugs used during surgery and to treat pain. The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department offers trainings to administer Narcan through a nasal spray during an overdose. In a clinical setting, Narcan can be injected intravenously.

The Harm Reduction Program of the Wheeling-Ohio County Health department includes the community and first responder Narcan training and medication distribution as well as the department’s needle exchange program.

The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department will continue to offer Community Narcan Trainings, regardless of county or state residency, to the community. Residents who want to be trained to administer 2mg Narcan should register by contacting the health department or registering in person at the health department. The training will include a supply of 2mg Narcan.

If your business or organization is interested in arranging a training contact the health department to set up a training time and location. Local police departments and first responders interested in arranging for the new training can also contact the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department at (304) 234-3682.