A total of 556 people died of overdoses related to opioid use in Duval, Clay and Nassau counties in 2020.
In response to the opioid epidemic that has risen over the past decade, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and Drug Free Duval offer bi-monthly training on how to reverse an overdose, along with free naloxone for Duval residents.
Hannah Schafer of Drug Free Duval says the program has prevented dozens of deaths, with over 70 rescues self-reported.
"The impact of the naloxone program right here and Duval County, 73 lives have been saved to date. And these are just people who reported them so we expect these numbers are definitely a little bit higher,” Schafer said.
The online training is offered the 15th and 30th of each month. Virtual attendees are taught how to spot the signs and symptoms of a drug overdose and then are shown ways to reverse the potentially lethal condition using naloxone, typically sold as the brand Narcan, which can halt the effects of opioids on the body for up to 90 minutes.
The most dangerous effect of opioids, and the main symptom treated by naloxone, is loss of breathing, which can quickly cause death if not promptly treated. Naloxone is a fast-acting antagonist to opioids and can rapidly reverse the condition of someone suffering an overdose.
The training is open to anyone, but only Duval residents who complete the course will receive a free overdose kit that contains naloxone for emergency use — sent right to their door.
You can sign up for the training here, with additional information posted on JFRD's website.
