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Appalachian police receive training to treat opioid overdoses with Narcan

Illustration by narcan.com

By Jeff Cloninger
Posted Dec. 6, 2017 at 3:29 p.m.

BOONE, N.C.—Even though Appalachian State University has no significant problem with opioid overdoses, its University Police Department stands ready to help were such emergencies to occur. Members of the Appalachian police, with the support of Project Lazarus, were recently trained in the use of Narcan — an emergency medication used to treat opioid overdoses.

If officers meet persons they believe are suffering from an opioid overdose, they may administer the drug during the critical moments before EMS arrives at the scene. Narcan comes in the form of a nasal spray, which causes no harm or adverse reactions to the body. Narcan simply blocks the opioid from the opioid receptors in the brain. The only side effects are associated with withdrawal from the opioid. Doses will be kept in all police officers’ patrol vehicles as they respond to medical-related calls.

According to Andy Stephenson, director of public safety and chief of police at Appalachian, campus police “have not seen a significant rate of opioid-related medical emergencies.” Still, he continues, “we think it’s imperative that our officers have the tools and training necessary to respond effectively to any incident we may encounter. Appalachian police officers respond to all medical incidents occurring on campus, and they are normally the first emergency responders to arrive. Having Narcan as an available option for officers has the potential to save lives.”

Stephenson also expressed his appreciation for the donation of Narcan to the police department by Fred Wells Brason II. Brason is president of Project Lazarus, which is a drug overdose prevention program serving Western North Carolina. According to the organization’s website, “Project Lazarus is a nonprofit organization that provides training and technical assistance to communities and clinicians addressing prescription medication issues. Using experience, data and compassion, we empower communities and individuals to prevent overdoses and opioid poisonings, establish effective substance use and disease of addiction treatment and support, and meet the needs of those living with pain.”

Project Lazarus also recently donated a prescription dropbox — which is located in the lobby of Appalachian’s police department — for all unwanted medications to be disposed of safely and properly.

About Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The transformational Appalachian experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. As one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, Appalachian enrolls more than 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

University Police granted use of anti-overdose drug
University Police granted use of anti-overdose drug
Watauga Democrat
Dec. 5, 2017

Appalachian State University Police announced last month that its officers are officially trained and equipped to administer the anti-overdose medication Naloxone. Naloxone counters the effects of opioids in the system and can be effective at bringing someone out of an overdose episode, according to University Police Chief Andy Stephenson.

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • University media releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015
  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • University media releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015
  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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