Ocean County High Schools Connect Opioid Addicts With Narcan, Treatments at New Jersey Rehab Centers
Nurses and staff at high schools throughout Ocean County recently gained access to an opioid overdose antidote effective at preventing students and others from suffering overdose deaths on school grounds. The drug, called Narcan, is currently being used by law enforcement and other first responders in Ocean County who arrive at opioid overdose scenes. School nurses and other advocates are saying that supplying high schools with Narcan is an ideal way to connect addicts with the help they need at New Jersey rehab centers that treat opioid addiction.
If you or someone you love is addicted to opioids or heroin, get help immediately to lower the risk for an accidental overdose. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about nearby rehab centers that can effectively treat opioid addiction and help you or your loved one achieve sobriety.
Using Narcan To Revive Opioid Overdose Victims
Staff at Ocean County high schools received training on how to administer Narcan.
A training event was recently held at Georgian Court University for all nurses and educators serving Ocean County high schools. All staff members received complimentary Narcan kits that Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato says will be replenished at no cost if the drugs are administered to students, adults, or visitors on school grounds. According to Coronato, the Narcan program is voluntary, but all school districts in Ocean County have taken steps to obtain the opioid overdose antidote.
Coronato says the statewide heroin epidemic is having a major impact on teens as young as 17 and 18, and that it’s important for high schools to have access to Narcan to save lives. The attorney also adds that the Narcan kits offer doses that are twice as potent as was offered years ago, and that the state will replace Narcan for schools free of charge. According to Coronato, Narcan has already saved the life of a student who attends one of Ocean County’s high schools.
Samantha Hvidding, a nurse at Toms River High School East, says that Narcan gives addicts the chance to make better decisions and get into addiction treatment programs following an overdose. She adds that given the opioid epidemic, overdose victims could be anyone — from students, to parents, to delivery people. So far this year, Narcan has revived 445 overdose victims throughout Ocean County, compared to 272 in 2015.
Achieving Sobriety From Opioid Abuse at Rehab Centers
Many opioid overdoses are accidental, considering users continue to take higher doses in an effort to achieve intense, euphoric highs. In some cases, users suffer overdoses unknowingly after using drugs that have been mixed with more deadly, potent opioids. For instance, heroin users could take their usual dose of heroin, but overdose when the heroin they’re using has been mixed with stronger drugs like fentanyl or U-47700.
Drug rehab centers offer treatments that can help opioid addicts overcome physical dependency on opioids without experiencing painful cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These treatments, known as medication-assisted treatments, combine therapy and behavioral counseling with medication to help addicts overcome addictive behaviors. Addicts also receive the education needed to stay sober indefinitely as they navigate through life free of addiction and opioid use.
If you are suffering from opioid abuse and live in Ocean County or a neighboring community, don’t put off getting help any longer. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to get connected with New Jersey rehab centers that can help you overcome dependence and addiction to opioids.
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