Order for overdose antidote provided to group in Wyoming
August 31, 2022
Free orders for the temporary opioid overdose antidote known as NARCAN® are again available to groups in Wyoming through the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).
Erica Mathews, Grants and Programs Unit Manager, WDH Behavioral Health Division, said NARCAN® is a potentially life-saving prescription drug designed to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. says.
“This program will provide free NARCAN® to Wyoming agencies, businesses, and organizations that may be in a position to help people experiencing an opioid overdose,” Mathews said. “This is aimed at groups such as law enforcement, emergency medical service providers, and schools, rather than individual orders.” It is funded through a matching grant.
WDH data show that the number of annual overdose deaths in Wyoming increased during one year and decreased during another. The recent increase in overdose deaths is thought to be primarily due to an increase in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids. In 2021, 106 overdose deaths were recorded among Wyoming residents, compared to 99 in 2020, 78 in 2019, 65 in 2018 and 2017. 62, 94 in 2016, 96 in 2015, 106 in 2014, 96 in 2013 and 99 in 2012.
The active ingredient in NARCAN®, naloxone hydrochloride, can block the effects of opioids and restore normal breathing in people whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of an opioid overdose.
Mathews said multiple doses of naloxone may be necessary if stronger opioids or synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are involved.
Groups interested in receiving medication through the Wyoming program should visit https://health.wyo.gov/behavioralhealth/mhsa/mat/. Important rules, specific program requirements, and ordering information are available.
Anyone interested in a personal supply of naloxone for themselves or a close friend or family member should ask their local pharmacy or health care provider about the drug. , some pharmacies can provide naloxone to individuals without a doctor’s prescription.
The WDH Substance Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP) used federal funds to provide NARCAN to the group from 2016 until it ended its participation in certain grants in Wyoming last fall.
Rachel Nuss, WDH’s community prevention unit manager, said her program continues to fund county prevention professionals working on a variety of substance abuse prevention services. In addition to providing educational resources as needed, preventive services include creating and updating policies, reducing access to prescription drugs due to drug recall events, prescription drug drop boxes, secure storage and safe disposal methods. includes the promotion of
Online NARCAN® administration training is available at https://www.getnaloxonenow.org/#gettraining. Training is free for anyone who enters a Wyoming address on the site.
Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) is also available throughout Wyoming and is a proven treatment for opioid use disorder combined with counseling and behavioral therapy. The WDH Behavioral Health Division contracts with local community substance abuse treatment providers for MAT services and other opioid use disorder treatment services. Services are available from community substance abuse treatment providers regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. MAT and other opioid use disorder treatment services may also be available from accredited providers in other regions. To find a community Substance Abuse Treatment Provider or Accredited Provider, please visit: https://health.wyo.gov/behavioralhealth/mhsa/treatment.