Several professionals from CAHS conducted an on-site Narcan training, Aug. 14, at the Rubicon chemical plant, located at 9156 Highway 75 in Geismar.
The CAHS team consisted of Executive Director Jan Laughinghouse, PhD, LCSW-BACS, LAC, CCS, and Prevention Coordinators Alicia Richbourg and Ricki Davis who trained several Rubicon employees, healthcare professionals, and community members about how to effectively respond to opioid overdoses.
The free training, offered by CAHS as a public service, outlined how opioid overdoses occur, the physical effects of opioids on the human body, and the importance of timely intervention during an overdose.
Participants learned about the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose and how to respond to reduce the likelihood of death.
The session provided an in-depth overview of Narcan (generically known as naloxone), which is a medication that rapidly reverses the deadly effects of an opioid overdose.
The medication can be administered in various ways, including nasal spray and injection. Participants of the class were offered Narcan nasal spray kits to use in case they encounter someone having an opioid overdose.
The event also featured hands-on training about the proper administration of Narcan. The participants used resuscitation training mannequins to practice evaluating for signs of overdose, calling 911, administering Narcan, and monitoring the person’s response.