BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Aug. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of
International Overdose Awareness Day, observed on August 31, a number of American Addiction
Centers' treatment facilities throughout the country will host
Narcan training events to educate the public on how to administer
the opioid overdose-reversal drug. A limited amount of the antidote
will be available at each event.
"Last year, fentanyl was responsible for more overdose deaths
than cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and prescription opioids,"
said Dr. Lawrence Weinstein, chief
medical officer for American Addiction Centers. "The presence of
fentanyl is increasing in communities around the country. There is
no telling when or where Narcan will be needed, so knowing how to
administer it benefits everyone."
While preliminary numbers suggest that the amount of fatal
overdoses decreased by 5%, 2018 still saw nearly 70,000 deaths,
with an estimated 32,000 being attributed to synthetic opioids.
Drugs are being adulterated with fentanyl at an alarming rate and
often unknowingly. For example, the DEA noticed a 112% increase in
the presence of cocaine/fentanyl combinations.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, availability and
awareness of Narcan, or naloxone, is a key component in the
public's response to the opioid crisis. Research has shown that
communities educated on overdoses and naloxone show a decrease in
overdose deaths.
Below are the facilities offering Narcan trainings. For more
information or to RSVP to an event, please follow the facility's
corresponding link:
- Desert Hope Treatment Center -
http://deserthope.aaclive.org/
- AdCare Hospital - https://adcare.eventcreate.com/
- Oxford Treatment Center - http://oxford.aaclive.org/
- Sunrise House Treatment Center -
http://sunrisehouse.aaclive.org/
- Greenhouse Treatment Center -
http://greenhouse.aaclive.org/
- Recovery First Treatment Center -
https://recoveryfirst.eventcreate.com/
"It's important to remember that we are still very much in the
midst of an opioid crisis," said Dr. Weinstein. "Today, individuals
are more likely to use Narcan than they are CPR, and it's important
for citizens to learn how they can play a part in ending the
epidemic."
About American Addiction Centers
American Addiction
Centers (NYSE: AAC) is a leading provider of inpatient and
outpatient substance abuse treatment services. We treat clients who
are struggling with drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and
co-occurring mental/behavioral health issues. We currently operate
substance abuse treatment facilities located throughout
the United States. These
facilities are focused on delivering effective clinical care and
treatment solutions. For more information, please find us at
AmericanAddictionCenters.org or follow us on Twitter
@AAC_Tweet.
Contact:
Joy Sutton
Director of Corporate Communications
Office: (615) 727-8407
Cell: (615) 587-7728
JSutton@ContactAAC.com
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SOURCE American Addiction Centers