Ramona Sheriff’s deputies have begun handing out naloxone kits on the substation and when responding to calls to equip folks with the remedy that may counteract an opioid overdose.
The free kits can be found to adults from 8 a.m. to five p.m. weekdays on the Ramona Sheriff’s substation, 1424 Montecito Street.
Ramona Sheriff’s Lt. Daniel Vengler stated naloxone provides have been out there since Dec. 23. The medication is used to counteract the consequences of an opioid resembling fentanyl, heroin or oxycodone and could be efficient if used well timed in case of an overdose, he stated.
“We’ve got been handing them out to those that we all know use illicit medication and to folks we all know to hold round with individuals who use illicit medication,” Vengler stated.
The thought is to have naloxone available earlier than a medical emergency happens, Vengler stated.
“My hope is that the individual that’s battling drug habit will get assist earlier than the injury turns into irreversible,” he stated. “My message to anybody who has a member of the family, co-worker or neighbor who’s utilizing illicit medication is to maintain providing assist and don’t quit on them. Ultimately they might take you up on these affords to get assist and finally get drug free.”
Naloxone, additionally recognized by the model title Narcan, is a needle-free remedy sprayed into an individual’s nostril that reverses the consequences of an opioid overdose. Deputies sometimes administer the drugs after an opioid slows an individual’s coronary heart price and impairs their respiration, Vengler stated.
In 2021, Ramona deputies administered 13 doses of naloxone on seven incidents, in accordance with Vengler. Deputies additionally responded to 23 overdose calls in 2021 and there have been two deaths in Ramona that yr that had been attributed to fentanyl.
Final yr by way of June, Ramona deputies administered eight doses of naloxone in 5 incidents, and two deaths had been attributed to drug overdoses.
Countywide in 2021, there have been 814 fentanyl overdose deaths, up from 84 in 2017, in accordance with the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Workplace.
Fentanyl could be lethal in small doses. It’s typically combined with different medication, and people can ingest it unknowingly, officers say.
Vengler stated typically folks assume they’re utilizing heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine however fentanyl could also be combined in with it. He stated illicit medication are the issue, not legally prescribed drugs.
The naloxone kits being distributed by the Sheriff’s Division countywide, and by county Parks and Recreation along with police departments in Chula Vista and Nationwide Metropolis embrace two doses of naloxone. They arrive with an academic brochure in English and Spanish with a QR code for an tutorial video.
“We wish to be certain that we get the kits distributed to everybody all through the county who feels they’ve a necessity for them and we are going to preserve getting them replenished if we run out,” Vengler stated.
Naloxone nostril spray remedy is offered in kits of two doses with an informational brochure.
(Courtesy County Well being and Human Providers Company)
The naloxone distributed by way of the county’s distribution program is supplied for by California’s Division of Well being Care Providers Naloxone Distribution Challenge, stated Cassie Klapp, group communications officer for the county Well being and Human Providers Company
All county Well being and Human Providers Company public well being facilities have distributed free naloxone kits to communities since 2021, Klapp stated.
“Neighborhood naloxone entry by way of our regulation enforcement companions expands entry and furthers the county’s overarching objective to saturate the neighborhood with naloxone,” she stated. “The earlier somebody experiencing an overdose is run naloxone, the larger the possibilities of survival. Anybody can carry naloxone, give it to somebody experiencing an overdose, and doubtlessly save a life.”
Naloxone will likely be distributed at a Love Your Coronary heart Neighborhood Honest on Saturday, Feb. 25. The occasion introduced by Reside Properly San Diego will likely be held from midday to three p.m. at Ramona Neighborhood Library, 1275 Primary St.
Different actions deliberate on the honest embrace blood strain checks, COVID-19 and flu vaccines, meals distribution and a Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Murals stroll.
Extra assets for naloxone distribution had been mentioned through the Jan. 12 Ramona Neighborhood Planning Group assembly. Planning Group members thought of putting a naloxone merchandising machine at a public location in Ramona.
Nonetheless, objections had been raised about having a merchandising machine on the Ramona Library, which is visited by youngsters and households, or putting it at Ramona fireplace departments that aren’t staffed throughout emergency name responses.
The movement for putting in a naloxone merchandising machine failed with six Planning Group members in favor and 5 in opposition to.
“I believe it’s a good suggestion, however extra thought must be put into it,” Planning Group member Paul Stykel stated.
