1,000 Narcan kits distributed in San Rafael to fight fentanyl crisis

by: Hamza Fahmy | Kron 4

(KRON) — Marin Health and Human Services reported on Friday that community health members in San Rafael gathered on March 4 to go door-to-door and distribute 1,000 free Narcan kits to the Canal neighborhood.

The Narcan distribution follows after Marin County issued a public health advisory on Thursday due to five suspected overdoses since Valentine’s day – approximately a fourfold increase of the usual rate of overdoses in the county, MHHS said. 

Overdose is now the leading cause of death in Marin County for residents aged 55 and younger. 

Narcan, otherwise known as Naloxone, is the most accessible over-the-counter drug that’s used to treat known or possible opioid overdose. Narcan comes as a nasal (nose) spray. Each container holds one dose of Narcan that’s sprayed into one nostril.

Efforts of the Narcan distribution were in collaboration with Canal Alliance, a nonprofit group focusing on immigrants challenged by a lack of resources and the Multicultural Center of Marin, formerly known as the Canal Welcome Center, a support group providing a broad range of resources for Canal community members. 

The county issued the following advisories for people who use drugs:

• Carry Narcan. You may need to use multiple doses, and can find free Narcan by going to odfreemarin.org/narcan
• Test your drugs before using to determine what’s really in it.
• Do not use drugs alone. If no one is close by, call Never Use Alone at 1-800-484-3731.

For treatment options, call the Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Access Line (24/7) at 1-888-818-1115 or find safe Medically Assisted Treatment options. MAT is the use of medications (like buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone) in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat opioid use disorder and sustain recovery.