Challenge of Tarrant County has launched an effort encouraging World Cup fans to Play It Safe as enthusiasts from the area and around the world come together in North Texas to cheer on their teams.
The nonprofit, which is dedicated to preventing substance misuse, has a two-pronged approach to preventing deaths from drug use and excess drinking as fans celebrate soccer this summer: an education campaign and distribution of naloxone first aid kits.
Anthony Bassett, Challenge of Tarrant County’s director of prevention programming, said the organization sees the World Cup activity in North Texas as a chance to connect people with education and resources.
“With having that kind of platform and that opportunity, we looked for ways to really address those topics in the most effective way possible,” Bassett said.
The education campaign focuses on distributing information in English and Spanish on topics such as staying safe in the heat, driving under the influence, and recognizing and stopping an overdose.
Bystanders and loved ones can stop an overdose by administering the naloxone, a medication often referred to by the brand name Narcan. Naloxone reverses an overdose by attaching to opioid receptors, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It is not harmful to someone not experiencing an overdose.
The naloxone first aid kits distributed by Challenge of Tarrant County contain two doses of the medication, an information card explaining what to do in case of an overdose, cooling towels and general emergency care items such as bandages and ointment.
The nonprofit’s original goal was to distribute 1,000 kits from June 8 to July 20, the date range of the World Cup activity in the area.
It has already surpassed that figure.
“In the ideal world, no one would ever have to use these kits, but we’re glad that they’re out in the community, and we hope that they’re being put to good use and really making a difference,” he said.
The organization has the capacity to distribute even more kits and will continue to do so, Bassett said.
Challenge of Tarrant County is also making efforts to connect with international visitors. Bassett said he has walked around locations such as Sundance Square and Dallas Stadium, which is hosting World Cup games, and had “a lot of great conversations.”
“We’ve been able to distribute some kits to some of those visitors, so we’re hopeful that they’ll be able to take those resources back to their home countries as well and raise awareness around these issues, because it’s not just an issue affecting our community, but it’s a global issue,” Bassett said.
Those interested in receiving a naloxone first aid kit can contact Challenge of Tarrant County on social media or on their website.
Information about how to respond to an overdose. (Courtesy | Challenge of Tarrant County)
McKinnon Rice is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Her position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org.
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