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Health Unit offers no-cost, life saving drug

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In an effort to save lives from drug overdose, the Webster County Health Unit recently launched an awareness and distribution campaign for the life-saving drug, Narcan (naloxone).

Illegal drugs are more potent and potentially lethal than ever before, as many can be mixed or laced with illicitly made fentanyl, an extremely powerful opioid that is up to 100 times stronger than morphine.

The Missouri Opioid Overdose and Bloodborne Infection Vulnerability Assessment reports that 28 Webster County residents died from drug overdoses in 2022, and that opioid misuse accounted for 337 emergency room visits from county residents. 

Scott Allen, administrator for the Health Unit points out that “Many patients dealing with chronic conditions such as cancer, are prescribed opioids by their physician for pain relief. These patients are at risk of accidental overdose.” 

“Narcan is a medication that quickly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, usually within 1-3 minutes.”, according to Allen. And, he adds that “It is an extremely safe medicine and one that anyone can administer.” Anyone at risk of witnessing or experiencing an overdose should have Narcan on hand – especially people who use drugs, their family members, and associates.

Through a partnership with the Missouri Institute for Mental Health, the Health Unit is able to offer Narcan at no cost. It is available daily at the Health Unit clinic in Marshfield, through their mobile health unit, and can be offered with training to civic and church groups. More information may be obtained by calling the Health Unit at 417-859-2532.

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