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Public Health holds free Narcan class

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 19:13 GMT by KFYR TV
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Public Health Department Announces Free Narcan Training for Community Leaders

The city’s public health office is stepping up its fight against opioid overdoses by offering a complimentary workshop on the life‑saving drug Narcan (naloxone). The session, held on Thursday, September 16, 2025, is part of a broader strategy to arm local officials, business owners, and community volunteers with the tools they need to respond quickly when an overdose occurs.

A National Call, a Local Response

In recent years the United States has seen an alarming rise in opioid‑related deaths, with small towns and rural counties experiencing disproportionate rates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. saw over 80,000 opioid‑related deaths in 2023 alone, a number that has risen steadily for a decade. Local health officials in the state have been actively seeking ways to bring proven interventions closer to the people most affected.

“Narcan is the most effective medication we have to reverse an opioid overdose, and its use is both safe and straightforward,” said Dr. Angela Martinez, director of the city’s Office of Public Health. “Our goal is to make it easy for anyone—whether a business owner, a volunteer, or a local elected official—to learn how to recognize an overdose and administer the drug before emergency services arrive.”

The announcement followed a partnership with the state’s Department of Health and a private nonprofit that distributes free Narcan kits across the state. The free training, as highlighted on the city’s public health website, is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the downtown Community Center. All participants will receive a free Narcan kit to keep on hand.

What the Training Covers

The workshop will be delivered by certified overdose response instructors and will combine didactic instruction with hands‑on practice. Attendees can expect to learn:

• Signs of an opioid overdose – sudden respiratory arrest, pinpoint pupils, unresponsiveness, and other warning signs.
• Safe and effective Narcan administration – nasal spray and auto‑injector options, dosage guidelines, and the importance of calling emergency services after administration.
• Legal and ethical considerations – Good Samaritan laws that protect those who provide emergency assistance, as well as the rights of individuals who receive Narcan.
• Community outreach – strategies for distributing Narcan kits in neighborhoods, workplaces, and places of worship, and for creating “overdose response plans” for small businesses.
• Follow‑up care – how to connect overdose survivors to treatment services and support resources, such as medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) and counseling.

In addition to the core curriculum, a panel will feature a local opioid‑use disorder counselor, a police officer who has participated in overdose response training, and a former drug‑dependent community member who has successfully recovered. These perspectives will help participants understand the broader context of addiction and recovery.

Registration and Participation

The event is free, but space is limited. Registration is required and can be completed online through a simple form on the public health website. Those who have attended a prior overdose response course can apply for a “repeat attendee” status, which will free up spots for first‑time participants.

For those who cannot attend in person, the public health office will offer a virtual live‑streaming option later in the week, followed by a Q&A session with the instructors. The website also lists the contact details of the local health department’s overdose response hotline for additional questions or for arranging on‑site training at schools, churches, or other venues.

Community Impact and Broader Initiatives

This training is part of a larger set of initiatives spearheaded by the health department. In partnership with the state’s Department of Health, the city is rolling out a “Narcan Everywhere” campaign that includes:

• Free distribution of Narcan kits at 75 community sites, including senior centers, food banks, and transportation hubs.
• Public awareness signage in hospitals, pharmacies, and public spaces, explaining what Narcan is and how it can save lives.
• School‑based educational programs aimed at parents and students to promote safe drug‑use practices and early intervention.
• Collaboration with law enforcement to train officers in overdose recognition and Narcan use, while ensuring that Good Samaritan protections are understood.

Dr. Martinez emphasized that these efforts are part of a comprehensive public‑health approach to opioid addiction that includes prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services. “Narcan is just one tool,” she said. “But it’s the most immediate tool we have, and by training more people, we create a culture of preparedness that can save dozens, even hundreds, of lives.”

Looking Ahead

Following the workshop, the public health department plans to conduct a follow‑up survey to assess participants’ confidence in administering Narcan and their willingness to carry a kit. The data will inform the next round of training and the expansion of Narcan distribution programs.

For more details on the event, including the full agenda and speaker bios, the city’s public health website offers a downloadable PDF. Interested residents can also subscribe to the department’s newsletter for updates on future trainings, funding opportunities for local overdose response teams, and recent changes in state legislation related to drug‑use disorder treatment.

As the opioid crisis continues to challenge communities nationwide, local initiatives such as this free Narcan class demonstrate that even small, well‑planned actions can have a profound ripple effect—turning ordinary citizens into life‑saving first responders and fostering a safer, more informed community for all.