On March 31st, 2017 the Pulaski County Health Department hosted a free naloxone dispensing clinic provided by the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Naloxone reverses opiate (heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone etc.) effects and can prevent death from heroin overdose. Kentucky has seen a dramatic increase in overdose deaths in the last several years. Preventing these deaths allows the individual a second chance at life and seeking help.
Concerned citizens were educated on naloxone use and provided with 2 doses of 4mg naloxone nasal spray for administration to individuals in respiratory failure due to opiate use. Education and dispensing were provided by a pharmacist from Kentucky Pharmacy Association and pharmacy students from the University of Kentucky. Free rapid testing for HIV and Hepatitis C were provided by the Pulaski County Health Department Staff, eight individuals were tested.
Kentucky Department for Public Health and Pulaski County Health Department were pleased with the response, 72 naloxone treatments were dispensed.
We hope to be able to provide this service in other counties in our district in the near future.