Lowcountry group distributing free Narcan nasal spray to battle opioid overdoses

On Saturday, the Mount Pleasant Police Department, Wake up Carolina, and the Charleston Center came together for an urgent need: teaching people how to detect an overdose and how to administrator Narcan.

Attendees were also given free Narcan nasal spray kits to help battle opioid overdoses.

The latest Center for Disease Control report states that nationwide between 2016 and 2017, there was a 45 percent increase in deaths from synthetic opioids, including illegally manufactured versions of Fentanyl.

The CDC aslo says between 2013 and 2017, the rate of overdoses increased in 35 states. North Carolina is among the top three states for the highest rise in the epidemic, along with Oregon and Arizona.

Caitlin Kratz, the Program Administrator for the Charleston Center’s Opioid Treatment Program in downtown Charleston, says these numbers are the reason Narcan Kits are needed.

“We have been approved through our state treatment authority to do community distribution of Narcan, we know there is an epidemic nationally, and something that is hitting us in our own home community, where people are dying from overdoses of opioids,” Kratz states.

Dominic Rosa attended the Wake Up Carolina Training. He, too, has had a battle with overdosing.

“I started pills in high school, and then it quickly transitioned and by the time I left high school, I was a daily heroin user. I’ve overdosed myself, I’ve had to be Narcaned, I’ve been in recovery for over five and a half years,” he said.

Rosa says coming to classes and training not only helped him with his addiction, but helped him to help others.

Free Narcan kits were passed out after the training, participants received two nasal sprays of Narcan, a rescue breathing shield and more instruction on how to use the Nasal Narcan.

To receive training on how to help treat someone during an overdose, and how to get a Narcan kit, call (843)-722-0100.