The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has just recently reported that the nationwide opioid epidemic is not abating, in fact it is getting worse. CEO of New Opportunities, Chad Jensen, agrees, and says the eastern part of the state is starting to be hit with this trend.
The experts forecasting the spread of opioid addiction are saying it is likely that within the next two to three months it will be hitting more of central and western Iowa. Jensen and local law enforcement have seen some cases here in our area, but it is not a huge problem yet. New Opportunities wanted to be ahead of this possibility, and has been able to receive grant dollars from the Iowa Department of Public Health to supply area officers with opioid overdose naloxone kits.
Training was done on Tuesday with Carroll County law enforcement, including the Carroll, Manning and Coon Rapids Police Departments and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. Within the county, they have provided 25 kits to be placed in the patrol vehicles. The naloxone is administered through a nasal spray that has a shelf life of about a year and a half. If outdated or used, the authorities will contact New Opportunities for replacement, as long as grant money is available. The next step is to expand to the other counties New Opportunities serves.
Those battling abuse, or friends and loved ones concerned about someone with an opioid addiction, are encouraged to contact New Opportunities. Jensen says they will also be opening their doors to the public for a lunch and learn, titled “Opioids and the Epidemic We Face,” this Friday from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. It is a chance for people to bring their own lunch and learn about opioids, the epidemic and what they can do to help. He adds their door is always open to anyone battling addiction to drugs or alcohol, to those seeking education and prevention information as well, and they are just a phone call away at 792-9266.
