By Jo Carroll
What does a person who uses drugs look like? This is a question that can often come up in discussions surrounding drug use.
Many people might have notions in their head about what this type of person looks like, but in reality someone who is using drugs can be anyone.
Whether it is prescription pills prescribed by a doctor, or perhaps someone you know who decided to try something new, one thing is for certain – people using drugs don’t have a dress code.
Now more than ever Americans are becoming aware that drug use can be a dangerous thing. With an increase in the lacing of drugs with fentanyl, a strong synthetic opioid, more people are finding themselves at risk of overdosing.
According to Summitstone Health Partners, over 1,500 people in Colorado died from opiate overdose in 2021 alone.
In order to combat these increasing numbers the education, distribution, and administration centered around Narcan has become increasingly common around the country. However, for many people, this leaves the asking, “what is it?”
Narcan is a powerful medication that is used when a person has overdosed on opiate drugs that can instantly reverse the effects of the opiates, saving the persons life.
The medication comes in a foil packet, is available at most local pharmacies, and can be carried easily in the pocket.
In order to spread knowledge of this medication in the Fort Collins community, Colorado State University Health Center and Northern Colorado Health Partners have begun offering free training to administer the medication, along with free Narcan itself.
After one class a person can walk away with the knowledge it takes to help those struggling with a drug overdose recover and find their way to a healthier place.
For both facilities offering the training, all someone needs to do is use the links listed below in order to receive their free training and dose to help those in their community stay safe.
To register with CSU, visit: https://health.colostate.edu/alcohol-and-other-drugs/
To register with NCHN, visit: https://northcoloradohealthalliance.org/naloxone-2/