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A health fair was held Sept 18 at 6 pm at Boone Park at 408 Rucker Street. Rachel Patel, Alexias Major, and Nellie Hurt, with Nurses on a Mission, where there to educate the community on drug overdose response. Students with the Apex/Clubhouse, a program of Middle Flint Health and Wellness, attended part of the presentation.

Hurt, who is an RN, talked about the importance of drug overdose awareness. “We’re trying to educate people on how to save a life.”

She told how to respond. “When you’re with someone and something goes wrong, instead of leaving the person and panicking, you can always get basic CPR instruction, how to use Narcan, and what Narcan does.”

Major addressed the gathering. “Narcan is one of the drugs that we administer in the event that you suspect an opioid overdose.” She told how it reversed the effects of an opioid and was readily available. “So in the event that you’re with a friend and you suspect opioid overdose, you can administer Narcan. This stuff is available to you throughout the community.” Major told how it was available at the Sumter County Health Department and New Life at no cost.

There was also a CPR demonstration on a manikin, covering how to do basic compressions.

Mike Karns, Addiction Recovery Coach at New Life Addiction Recovery Support Center, also detailed the 911 amnesty law in the State of Georgia. “So if you are in a house and someone’s overdosing and you call 911, it is illegal for them to arrest you.” He did mention rare exceptions, including someone having an outstanding warrant. He noted that someone who called 911 for a drug overdose could not be arrested just for having drugs in their pockets.

He did mention it was important to call 911 and get the patient to the hospital, as the Narcan eventually wears off. “The Narcan is gonna wear out, then the drugs will kick back in, they go could go back into what’s called precipitated withdrawal.”