New program allows Arizona first responders to give naloxone kits to community members

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) – The Arizona Division of Well being Companies says over 200 Arizonans have died from opioids this yr, and now the state is developing with methods for the neighborhood to get their arms on the remedy that may save somebody’s life.

A brand new program will now enable first responders to depart kits with folks. The kits comprise remedy that may reverse an opioid overdose. By a federal grant referred to as the Depart Behind Program, the Arizona Division of Well being Companies, or ADHS, will likely be giving out greater than 3,000 naloxone kits this yr to EMS and first responder businesses throughout the state without charge. They’ll then move these kits on to folks in the neighborhood.

Brett Poliakon is an EMS captain with the Central Arizona Hearth and Medical Authority. It’s the biggest emergency service supplier in Yavapai County. They just lately acquired a whole bunch of naloxone kits from ADHS as a part of their Depart Behind Program. It permits first responders to depart behind pre-packaged naloxone with folks whereas they’re on calls. They may also be picked up at hearth stations. “It’s the first line to the protection of the opioid disaster,” he stated. “They’re designed to stop future or potential for opioid overdoses.”

Based on ADHS, there have been 244 confirmed opioid deaths in Arizona this yr, 1,928 in 2022, 2,015 in 2021, and 1,886 in 2020. The CDC says one other particular person was current in almost 40% of overdose deaths nationwide. “That reveals that 40% might have had the reversal agent of an overdose or potential reversal agent and that would have saved that people life,” Poliakon stated.

Within the package is identical remedy a primary responder would give, only a totally different administration route. “There’s two little nasal administrations,” he stated. “It’s nearly like taking an allergy remedy.”

Poliakon believes this can be a method for the neighborhood to behave quick and presumably save somebody’s life. “You by no means know what sort of occasion you may run into, and to have that useful resource available is big and this little easy machine can change somebody life dramatically and reserve it in a number of circumstances,” Poliakon stated.

The kits are free, and Poliakon says they don’t have to be refrigerated. They are often saved inside a backpack or your automotive. He additionally says they’ve shelf life. Their most up-to-date batch of remedy doesn’t expire till August 2025.

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