March 21, 2018

Over 100 show up for first mobile visit;

1ST NARCAN CLINIC IS SUCCESS

The Mobile Pharmacy is currently in town for Narcan training, and to distribute two free Narcan packets to anyone over the age of 18,  who takes the 20 minute training in how to use the medicine.

Please be sure to take advantage of this opportunity. The Trainings and distribution of Narcan will take place from 10:00 AM until 2:PM today, Wednesday, March 21 at the Lawrence County Health Department, 1080 Meadowbrook Lane, Louisa, KY.

Please call for more information 606-638-4389.

UPDATE:

The Mobile Pharmacy and Beyond

On Wednesday March 21, the Mobile Pharmacy unit came to Louisa to offer free Narcan inhalers and training to all adults ages 18 and older. Over 100 people from all walks of life and varying occupations participated in the training. Narcan training and distribution is only one of many harm reduction strategies being employed by Public Health to help stem the rising cost in human lives brought about by the current opioid epidemic. Harm reduction strategies focus on keeping people safe until they can get into treatment.

Another harm reduction strategy is a syringe exchange program which reduces the spread of infectious diseases, such as Hepatitis C and HIV, by eliminating sharing of needles and disposing of needles properly. The Lawrence County Board of Health and the Louisa City Council has given approval for the Lawrence County Health Department to operate a syringe exchange. The Lawrence County Fiscal Court must also approve before this life-saving program can begin.

The disruption brought about to American society by the drug epidemic is staggering In terms of tragic deaths, ruined lives, family disintegration, overtaxing our health care system, and loss of economic productivity. The problem was deemed so critical by our local Health Action Team, that all community partners named it the primary focus of their recent community-wide health assessment agenda.

Combating the opioid threat is no different than meeting the challenges of a devastating infectious disease. In order to overcome this plague everyone needs to get involved. Be educated. Take prescription opioids only as directed by your provider. Learn how to administer lifesaving Narcan. Encourage your elected officials to support harm reduction initiatives that will help get dangerous syringes off the streets and away from the places where our kids play. Most important is to know that anyone can end up addicted. It is not a disease of “those” people, but all people.

If you would like more information about harm reduction, syringe exchange programs or any services offered, please contact the Lawrence County Health Department at 606-638-4389.