SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Geisinger held a free Narcan distribution event Wednesday in downtown Scranton, giving community members access to overdose-reversal medication, drug-testing supplies and information on how to respond to a suspected opioid overdose.
Geisinger’s pharmacy, emergency medicine, addiction medicine and Free2BMom teams organized the event at Courthouse Square. Staff distributed boxes of nasal naloxone, along with fentanyl and xylazine testing strips, and showed attendees how to use the supplies.
Narcan is a nasal spray used to reverse a known or suspected opioid overdose. Signs can include a person being unresponsive or having slow, shallow breathing. The medication should be administered when an overdose is suspected, and 911 should be called immediately afterward.
Nori Zaccheo, a pharmacy student at Wilkes University, said the event was also aimed at helping community members feel more prepared and comfortable having Narcan available if it is ever needed, comparing it to keeping a fire extinguisher at home that you hope never to use but keep nearby just in case.
“I think there’s a huge need for events like this because opioid deaths are unfortunately on the rise, and Narcan is something that can reverse that. We want to make sure we’re giving people what they need. You could just be walking down the street and encounter an opioid overdose. You should definitely call 911, but you can treat somebody with Narcan right then and there, and that time can make a huge difference,” said Zaccheo.
Geisinger will hold its second distribution event Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the Farmers Market on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre. The event will also be free and open to the public, and no registration is required.
For more information on how to use Narcan and where to access it, visit the Narcan Nasal Spray website.