LA GRANDE — Over 360 doses of naloxone are now in the hands of residents and community partners after the Center for Human Development coordinated a Narcan giveaway at its new Outreach Center in La Grande.

Naloxone — commonly known by the brand name Narcan — is a lifesaving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, including fentanyl, heroin and prescription opioid medication. Narcan is delivered via a prefilled nasal spray. It is easy to administer and safe to handle, according to CHD’s Behavioral Health Resource Network Coordinator Lisa Whipple.

“In my professional and personal opinions everyone should have (naloxone) on their person due to the prevalence of fentanyl in the community,” she said.

Opioids and stimulants were the main types of substances associated with fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the state in 2022, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Fentanyl-related overdoses — both fatal and nonfatal — have increased exponentially since 2019.

The substance is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and just 2 milligrams can cause an overdose, according to CHD’s Fake and Fatal fact sheet. It is increasingly being found in recreational drugs, such as marijuana or cocaine, and in pills, like Oxycontin and Vicodin, and users of illicit drugs may be unaware that their drugs are laced with fentanyl.

The benefits of having naloxone on hand go beyond fentanyl overdoses, Whipple said. Anyone who has prescribed painkillers at home should consider having naloxone available.

“Think about grandma who just had a hip replacement and has been prescribed painkillers. Or toddlers who get into everything,” Whipple said.

She has even heard about naloxone being administered to dogs who have gotten into pill bottles.

Prescribing opioids has decreased in Oregon since 2012, according to OHA’s 2022 Opioid Overdose in Oregon pamphlet. However, after decreasing for several years, fatal overdoses from prescription opioids increased in 2021 compared to 2020.

“The community doesn’t realize the amount of lives (naloxone) saves,” Whipple said.

NaloxBoxes

CHD also does education and outreach with local businesses and community partners, Whipple said. There are nine NaloxBoxes in La Grande, which offer people a way to pick up naloxone with no questions asked.

NaloxBoxes can be found throughout Union County, including at community partners like Northeast Oregon Network, Union County Warming Station and Community Kindness of Eastern Oregon, and religious centers, such as the Presbyterian and Methodist churches in La Grande.

Outreach Center offerings

The Narcan giveaway was part of an open house unveiling the Center for Human Development’s new Outreach Center, 2206 Jefferson Ave., on Thursday, Aug. 31. The Outreach Center provides resources for vulnerable populations in Union County.

Whipple said the Outreach Center is a place for people to come and connect with resources. One of the Outreach Center’s aims is to reduce barriers to treatment. While there are no clinical services offered, recovery mentors are available to listen and personnel are available to provide information on resources and services both via CHD and through community partners.

“It’s a great place for people to come together, so no one (falls) through the cracks,” Whipple said.

Those who come to the center can connect to the Wi-Fi or use the computer in the resource room to write resumes, apply for jobs and search for housing. There are also general meeting rooms that can be used for group recovery activities.

Union County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Powers believes the Outreach Center offers a great service for the community. The center is a place for people to engage with resources, which can reduce contact with law enforcement. It also gives people who are out on pretrial release agreements a place to go to touch base with release officers or lawyers and helps keep them on track. The center also can provide assistance to people who are already engaged in drug court as a place to receive support.

Whipple said the reaction from the surrounding neighborhood has been great. CHD did a lot of groundwork — talking with nearby businesses and homeowners about the Outreach Center.

“People have been very receptive,” she said.