Lifesaving Narcan Training, May 20

A free one-hour training session on how to administer Narcan (naloxone), a medication that can stop a potentially fatal overdose of opioids, runs at the Weston Public Library on Tuesday, May 20 at 6:30 pm.

Weston Human Services strongly encourages high school and college students to attend, but the program is open to all ages. Space is limited, so registration is required.

Participants age 18 and above who complete the training can receive one free kit that contains two doses of naloxone. Parents of those under 18 can sign for a kit.

Narcan, a commonly used Emergent BioSolutions brand name for naloxone, is a nasal spray that was approved by the FDA in 2023 for over-the-counter sale in authorized pharmacies. Youth Recovery CT reports that naloxone is safe for everyone of any age and is easy to use.

The Centers for Disease Control credit the availability of non-prescription Narcan as a key contributor to the decline in overdose deaths last year, but the number — 87,000 nationwide from October 2023 through September 2024 — is still staggering.

Overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44, according to the CDC.