The Sangamon County Board accepted an $80,000 grant from the State of Illinois to further invest in the availability and awareness of Narcan kits in the County. Free Narcan kits are available at the Health Department headquarters at 2833 South Grand Avenue East, as well as several satellite locations across the county. Narcan can be used to counter the effects of an opioid overdose and save someone's life.
“With fentanyl, it can take one pill," said Joan Stevens Thome, Director of Health Education, “We're seeing a lot of people are responding because they have family members and friends or people down the street and they want to be prepared for being able to respond positively.”
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Naloxone(Narcan) is an opioid antagonist medication that can be used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. It can quickly restore breathing, brain function, and save the life of a person experiencing an opioid overdose. Naloxone can be administered by a nasal spray or an injection. It is legal in Illinois for non-medical professionals to administer naloxone to an individual experiencing an opioid overdose. Naloxone is widely used by first responders as well as community members throughout Illinois.
Signs of an opioid overdose may include the following:
Blue or purple fingernails and lips
Unresponsive to voice or touch
Pinpoint pupils (center part of the eye is very small)
Slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
Slow heartbeat or low blood pressure
Pale, clammy skin
For more information on Narcan kits, residents can visit the health department website or call 217-535-3100 ext. 6.