NARCAN Save a Life in Schoharie

SCHOHARIE — R.Ph David DeSando, a pharmacist educator, hosted a free NARCAN Nasal Spray training Wednesday afternoon at the Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church. Several people attended the event and actively engaged.

DeSando opened by introducing himself, giving some personal insight as to why he chose to hold the educational event. He also described the circumstances to use NARCAN, how to administer it, and what to do if it’s needed.

NARCAN Nasal Spray is an emergency treatment for drug overdoses, containing 4 mg of naloxone hydrochloride. It contains one dose that’s administered intranasal, or into either nostril. In suspected overdoses, the person affected will appear slumped, have pale skin, a blue or purple cast to the fingernails, vomiting, making gurgling sounds, cannot be awakened or unable to talk, breathing is very slow or stopped, and/or the heartbeat is very slow or stopped. 

If the person cannot be awakened with a sternal rub, 911 should be called immediately and NARCAN should be administered intranasally. Roll the person on their side and observe them. Those who have been reversed from an overdose may become combative or require multiple doses. Those administering NARCAN should administer the lowest doses, or sprays, as possible. It may take minutes for a person to awaken, and each dose lasts 30-90 minutes before it wears off. 

R.Ph DeSando discussed various drug names and some of their street names that could be reversed by NARCAN. He also informed those attending of the many emergency NARCAN sites throughout the county he helped set up. Furthermore, the number of overdoses reported has increased since this project began. 

Using these bright red labeled boxes, DeSando stated that he has stocked roughly 1,700 boxes of NARCAN since 2016. If the box is empty, R.Ph DeSando has his phone number (518-365-0407) in each box for people to inform him to come restock.

One of the biggest take-aways from DeSandos training was to prevent the younger generations from starting drugs to reduce and eventually stop overdoses. “Learn that it’s okay to say no!” he stated. It’s also important to keep controlled drugs kept out of reach of children and visitors (such as locked in a box, not in a medicine cabinet), and to dispose of controlled substances properly. Several hospitals and police stations have drop boxes for people to drop off any drugs that are expired or aren’t being used for any reason. 

DeSando concluded strongly, passing out informational booklets, test strips for xylazine and fentanyl, and a 2-pack box of NARCAN Nasal Spray.

For more information, contact R.Ph David DeSando at 518-365-0407.