Clarion, Iowa – Administrator Sandy McGrath announced recently that Wright County Public Health has been certified as a free Naloxone (also known as Narcan) distributor.
“This is great news for Wright County because it can, and will, save lives,” said McGrath.
Naloxone is used to reverse and block the effects of opioids including, but not limited to, fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, and morphine. It is safe to give to people of all ages, including infants. In addition, it is not harmful if given to someone believed to have overdosed but actually did not use an opioid.
Introduced during the Iowa 90th General Assembly (House File 595), legislation passed allowing specified entities the authority to distribute an opioid antagonist such as Naloxone to individuals defined as a person in a position to assist. These entities have the authority to distribute NARCAN® provided to them by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Wright County Public Health is a participant of this initiative.
A person in a position to assist is defined as a family member, friend, caregiver, community-based organization, health care provider, employee of a substance abuse treatment facility, school employee, first responder as defined in section 147A.1, or other person who may be in a place to render aid to a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose (Iowa Code Section 135.190).
If you would like more information, you are encouraged to call (515) 532-3461 or stop by their new location at 120 First Avenue NW, Clarion, Iowa. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Some of the services offered at Wright County Public Health include but are not limited to: Early Childhood Services like HOPES and Early Head Start visits, medication assistance, foot and blood pressure clinics, immunization and flu/COVID vaccines, WIC, and Stop the Bleed Training. For a full list of their services, please visit the website at: https://www.wrightcounty.iowa.gov/departments/residents/public_health/index.php
