Life-saving Narcan accessible in Lansdowne and Ridley YMCA AED cabinets
District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland joined Chief Joseph A. Ryan of the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigative Division (CID) and Michael Ranck, President and CEO of the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County to announce today that Narcan nasal spray, an opioid reversal medicine, is now readily accessible to the public and included in automated external defibrillator (AED) cabinets at the Lansdowne YMCA, and will be available at the Ridley YMCA and off-site locations, enabling anyone who is nearby an overdose victim to potentially save their life. District Attorney Copeland and Chief Ryan provided Narcan training to members and staff, along with an overview of Heroin Task Force initiatives including the disposal of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications through the permanent disposal drop boxes located throughout the county.
“We commend the efforts of our Heroin Task Force to join our community partners such as the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County to make this life-saving drug readily available,” said District Attorney Katayoun Copeland. “Having Narcan available in the five AED cabinets at the Lansdowne YMCA, and soon other locations, will enable members and staff to save a life in times of an emergency. While this is a life-saving drug, we recognize the importance of taking a holistic approach to the opioid epidemic by providing education, information on safe disposal, and resources for treatment by connecting residents to drug treatment court, recovery programs and workforce development.”
Narcan, also known as naloxone, is an opioid antagonist that is easy to administer and quickly reverses the side effects of an opioid overdose with no side effects when administered to someone who is not suffering from an overdose. The Narcan kit, manufactured by Adapt Pharmaceutical and provided through grant funding from the Heroin Task Force and the District Attorney’s Office, includes two 4-mg doses with step-by-step instructions to assist anyone in administering the nasal spray.
In an effort to continue to provide training to the public, District Attorney Copeland is also partnering with communities across Delaware County to provide free Narcan kits and overdose response training to individuals who work in recovery and other community partners. To schedule a free Narcan training, please call the District Attorney’s Office at 610-891-4168. To learn how to respond to an overdose emergency and receive online training, individuals can visit the District Attorney’s website at www.delcoDA.com.
