The High Springs Fire Department launched a free Narcan distribution program at the beginning of February. The program is a preventative measure to empower the community to respond to opioid overdoses before first responders arrive.
Narcan is a medication that reverses the effects of overdoses by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. It’s administered as a nasal spray and can quickly restore someone’s breathing in two to three minutes, said Kyle Livingston, the community risk reduction coordinator at the High Springs Fire Department. Narcan is safe to administer even if the person turns out to not be overdosing.
Livingston said sometimes the fire department can take five or more minutes to get to the scene and another two to three minutes for the Narcan to work after being administered. With the accessibility of this program, it’s possible for a bystander to administer Narcan as soon as the situation arises…