Naloxone training events scheduled

Northern Light CA Dean and Mayo Hospitals will hold naloxone education and distribution events in Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Greenville, and Milo:

Tuesday, March 26 6:30 p.m., Dexter town office

Thursday, March 28 6:30 p.m., Greenville fire department

Friday, March 29 6:30 p.m., Milo town office (upstairs)

Saturday, March 30 4:30 p.m., Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft

At the events, participants will learn how to administer nasal naloxone and will receive naloxone kits at no cost. Naloxone, sometimes known as Narcan, can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

“The person in need could be your neighbor, colleague, friend, family member, or someone in the community whom you may not know. You may not think you’ll ever need it, but an overdose can happen in the blink of an eye. Your ability to help in that moment could mean the difference between life and death,” says Hillary Starbird, director of community outreach, CA Dean and Mayo Hospitals.

While Maine saw a 16 percent decline in fatal overdoses in 2023, both suspected and confirmed fatal and nonfatal overdoses increased in Piscataquis County last year according to data compiled by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine. 

“With the influx of visitors expected into the area to view the eclipse, it’s a good time to learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose,” adds Starbird. “The important thing is to have a supply of naloxone and know how to use it.”

No appointment is necessary to attend a training session.