A Bowling Green-based health group is expanding the number of naloxone training programs in southern Kentucky.
Naloxone is a medication that helps prevent overdose deaths from opioids such as heroin.
The Barren River District Health Department is planning trainings with Simpson County law enforcement and nurses who work in several local school districts, including Bowling Green Independent, and Barren, Butler, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, and Simpson counties.
Chip Krause, a disease intervention specialist with the Barren River District Health Department, is leading the sessions.
“We hope to expand that to additional people in the community, anybody that we can get: family members, friends, anybody that has somebody that they care about that may or may not be at risk for an opioid overdose," Krause said.
Naloxone is usually given to an overdose patient through a nasal spray. Those wanting to become certified in administering it need to complete a two-hour training session.
Krause has already held sessions for law enforcement groups, jailers, first responders, rehab clinics, and methadone clinics in Butler, Logan, and Simpson counties.
Krause says saving an addict’s life through naloxone gives them a chance to get their life back on track. “Then they’re going to realize that they are cared about in the society, and that they can get the help they need,” he said. “And hopefully eventually they’ll make it into a treatment program.”
You can learn more about the naloxone training programs available in southern Kentucky by emailing Chip Krause, or by calling him at 270-781-8039, ext. 185.
