“To remember without stigma those who have been lost and provide education and awareness to end fatal overdoses,” details the Thurston County Opioid Response Task Force website.
The task force,convened to address the opioid epidemic, consists of a wide range of local partners and is chaired by Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim. Links for contacting the task force can be found on the website.
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, and in Thurston County, it was observed with an event at Heritage Park in Olympia.
Naloxone
According to the Thurston County Washington presentation, “Providers charted that patient condition improved after Narcan administration 65% of the time.” Narcan is a trademarked name for Naloxone.
Washington state health officials have found a way to open the doors of getting Naloxone into people’s hands. A standing order has been issued for the state of Washington to help people be able to procure the life-saving substance. If you do not have a prescription for it, download this form. The People’s Harm Reduction Alliance operates the statewide program in Washington.
According to the Washington State Department of Health (WSDH) website, Naloxone is for saving a life from a drug overdose. The website states, “Naloxone only works on opioids, such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycontin/oxycodone, and other opioid pain medications. If the victim presents with the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, naloxone should be administered regardless of what drug was assumed to have been consumed.”
“Washington’s Good Samaritan Law provides some protection when calling 9-1-1 to save a life, even if drugs are at the scene. (RCW 69.50.315). You should give Naloxone to anyone who has taken drugs and may be overdosing,” the WSDH website states.
For instructions on using Naloxone, click here for a guide by the Washington State Department of Health.
FREE mail-order Naloxone
You can request Naloxone at no charge at this website: StopOverdose.org/
The State of Washington has an option for outside of King County residents to be able to mail order the lifesaving drug. The website also shares how to find local Naloxone centers. There is a standing order that can be used in place of a prescription to pick up, but most pharmacies are not yet set up with what they call “the protocol” to be able to issue it. In Thurston County, Naloxone is available immediately at these two locations:
The StopOverdose.org website states, “In WA State, individuals can order free naloxone online and have it delivered directly to their home. The mail order program is meant for people who can’t easily go to a community organization or a pharmacy to get a kit. If you work with a program that would like to request naloxone to distribute, check out the WA Dept of Health’s Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program.”
For information about talking about opioids click here for a list of resources from WSDH.
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