Tribal Health offers Narcan
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News from Tribal Health
MONTANA — The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) in conjunction with local law enforcement have identified a sharp increase in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses from non-pharmaceutical fentanyl across the state in the last 10 days.
From Jan. 11-21, 2023, there have been at least 28 non-fatal overdoses and eight fatal overdoses suspected to be due to NPF.
The age range of patients was 19 and 66 years old, with most between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. 19 patients were male and 17 were female. Many of the patients had a prior history of opioid or other substance misuse, and several reported smoking fentanyl prior to their overdose. Some patients required several doses of naloxone to reverse their overdose, with reports of 12 milligrams used for four individuals.
Identified overdoses occurred in Cascade, Choteau, Custer, Flathead, Gallatin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Ravalli, Sheridan, Silver Bow, and Yellowstone counties.
The State of Montana has issued a Montana Statewide Standing Order for Naloxone Opioid Antagonists that allows Montanans to access naloxone through federal grants for free. Naloxone is a safe medication that can reverse a suspected opioid-related overdose.
Formal training is not required but is available, basic instructions are provided with the medication.
Montana’s Good Samaritan Law provides legal protection to those who administer naloxone, even if they are using substances too.
At Tribal Health any person can request and receive Narcan to help prevent overdoses.
Please walk-in to the Polson or St. Ignatius pharmacy to request Narcan.
If someone would like training on how to use Narcan, please call Tribal Health - Marcia Cordova at 406-745-3525 ext. 6161. Marcia will take your name and number and route your call to the appropriate health educator and/or trainer.
