Kankakee County Opioid Task Force
Opioid use harm reduction and resource page for
Kankakee, Grundy, Iroquois, & Kendall Counties.
Opioid Overdose Death Prevention & Naloxone Program
The Drug Overdose Prevention Program legislation passed in 2015 enabled non-medical persons to administer Naloxone to persons experiencing an opioid overdose. The law permits any person to become trained to obtain, possess, and administer naloxone to any person who appears to be suffering an opioid-related overdose. In addition, these personnel are protected from civil liability for administering naloxone.
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The Opioid Task Force Naloxone distribution program gives Naloxone kits to opioid users, their friends and families, law enforcement, first responders, community organizations and any others who may find themselves in a position to save the life of someone at risk of an opioid overdose.
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist—meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids. It can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of overdosing with heroin or prescription opioid pain medications.
Is Naloxone Safe?
Yes. There is no evidence of significant adverse reactions to Naloxone.
Administering naloxone in cases of opioid overdose can cause withdrawal symptoms when the person is dependent on opioids; this is uncomfortable without being life threatening. The risk that someone overdosing on opioids will have a serious adverse reaction to naloxone is far less than their risk of dying from overdose. Naloxone only works if a person has opioids in their system; the medication has no effect if opioids are absent.
What do you receive during overdose prevention training?
Participants will receive:
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An overview of the opioid epidemic and an understanding of the process of addiction.
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Instructions on how to use NARCAN ® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray, the life saving drug used to reverse opioid overdose.
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FREE NARCAN kit(s) containing one 4mg dose of NARCAN®, one pair of rubber gloves and a Narcan quick guide.
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Free Substance Use Resource Guides
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