Overdose Awareness Day is coming up on Aug. 31, and Manning Regional Healthcare Center’s (MRHC) Recovery Center is marking the date with tips to equip Iowans with knowledge that could prevent overdose deaths. Recovery Center staff stress that education, prevention, and timely intervention are critical tools in saving lives and reducing stigma. The first step is recognizing symptoms of an overdose, including: slow, shallow, or stopped breathing; unresponsiveness; pinpoint pupils; pale, blue, or cold skin; slow heartbeat; and low blood pressure. Timely response is critical, so call 911 immediately if you discover somebody exhibiting these symptoms. If available, administer naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan, as soon as possible. The Recovery Center offers free Narcan training and kits to community members, with staff available to provide sessions locally. Narcan (naloxone) is a safe, effective medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Recovery Center Director Taya Vonnahme says, “Narcan education empowers communities by reducing stigma, increasing awareness of overdose symptoms, and promoting timely intervention. It supports a harm reduction approach that prioritizes the preservation of life and opens the door for individuals to seek long-term treatment and recovery.” She adds that overdose prevention includes proper disposal of old or unused prescription medications.
