In 2017 the National Institute on Drug Abuse performed a study to look at the rate of opioid use and death within the state of Utah. “In 2017, there were 456 drug overdose deaths involving opioids in Utah – a rate of 15.5 deaths per 100,000 persons, compared to the national rate of 14.6 deaths per 100,000 persons.” reads the study.

This has caused policymakers to scramble in an attempt to quell the opioid epidemic. It’s also caused health departments and community wellness groups to try and educate the public on this health crisis, and provide them with the tools to help combat it. One method is through opioid overdose prevention training, which teaches citizens the skills they need to know to potentially save a life.

Two such trainings are coming up on this exact matter thanks to Utah State University Extension’s HEART program. Hannah Crowley from USU Extension joined Castle Country Radio to talk about the overdose prevention training opportunities.

“So I think it’s really important because you never know when you might need to respond to someone who’s overdosing,” explained Crowley,” And it’s important to be prepared, to be trained, and to even have the resources available and with you.”

Crowley also provided an in-depth look into what these trainings will cover,”, one thing that we will talk about is signs of opioid overdose. We will talk about the symptoms and how you can determine what that might look like and how to respond.” Crowley continued,” We’ll also talk about Narcan, what it is, how to use it, and how to get intervention.”

Delving deeper into the topic, Crowley discussed what Narcan is and its purpose,” Narcan, or you may have heard of Naloxone, Naloxone is just the generic name. Narcan is a specific brand. It’ll be in nasal spray form, and it’s what we’re using in our trainings. What it does is it is an opioid overdose reversal medication. So it will just kind of kick out the opioid that’s binding to receptors in your brain, and it will temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.”

In closing, Crowley shared,” I would just really love to encourage you guys to find these trainings and to find these opportunities to learn how to use Narcan, and to just really be prepared for these situations.”

USU Extension HEART’s Opioid Overdose prevention trainings will take place on two separate dates. The first will be online only and held on Monday, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. The second will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. in the Jennifer Leavitt Student Center Board Room. You can register for both trainings through Eventbrite. Those with questions are encouraged to email Crowley at hannah.crowley@usu.edu