Readiness for High School & Beyond: Narcan Training

A training at Poppy Direct Care in collaboration with Tulane Emergency Medical Services. This is a 1h in-person class for graduating 8th graders and their parents (if so desired) to learn the dangers of opiates such as fentanyl, how opiates are sometimes found snuck into other substances, what the signs of a deadly overdose might look like, and how to use intranasal Narcan to reverse an overdose on someone else while waiting for emergency responders. Participants will be given the opportunity to practice Narcan administration on a mannequin, and will be given free Narcan to keep if they so choose. 

This training will be done by nationally certified Emergency Medical Technicians from Tulane EMS who have been trained to administer Narcan, and to teach others how to administer it. 

As our 8th graders prepare for the transition to high school, we want to empower them with the knowledge and tools to stay safe in an ever evolving social landscape. 

This class isn't about what we expect our kids to do. It's about arming them with information to reduce the likelihood they will become a victim of opioids, and if they're ever in a position to help a friend or stranger, they have the tools and confidence to do it. Parents are welcome to join the class. 

Why now? Because High School moves fast.

The transition to High School is a big change. Our kids are heading into new environments, gaining more independence, and joining new social circles. By giving this training now, we aren't just teaching them about the risks, we're giving them the knowledge and tools to be safer and smarter about the risks they might consider taking.

Adolescent opioid overdose rates are rising in the US. It only takes trying a drug once to potentially overdose. Fentanyl is a very dangerous opioid that's commonly found mixed with other drugs and even alcohol. Most of the time, you don't know that it's there, and it only takes a small amount of it to be lethal. Narcan is able to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, so knowing how to administer it has the potential to save someone's life.

What they will learn:

• How opioids might show up at a party or social setting
• Signs of an opioid overdose 
• What to do if you suspect someone has overdosed
• What is Narcan
• How to administer intranasal Narcan (using a practice dummy and training Narcan nasal spray)

FAQ:

What is Narcan?

• Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist that is effective for rapid reversal of an opioid overdose
• It's a spray that goes in the nostril

What is fentanyl?

• Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid
• It's often mixed with other drugs to give a stronger "high" 
• It can be used to drug someone (roofie)
• A very small amount of it can rapidly cause someone to stop breathing and may be lethal
• Most of the time, someone taking a drug is not aware when fentanyl is mixed in it

Will talking about drugs make my kids more likely to do drugs?

• No! Research has shown that talking about drugs does not make kids more likely to do them

I love this, where can I get more Narcan?!

• Narcan nasal sprays can be purchased over-the-counter at local pharmacies

Real Narcan nasal sprays will be provided for free from Poppy Direct Care to participants at the conclusion of this class. You can either take some home, or just come to learn and not take anything with you. 

We hope to see you there