• Reverses overdose effects due to opioids

Brittany Ritter with the Lincoln County Prevention Coalition ATODS (Alcohol, Tobacco, Other Drugs, Suicide) is asking area residents and citizens to be aware and utilize a program that could help save a life.

“We are seeing an increase in fentanyl overdose deaths nationwide and Lincoln County is not excluded from this type of situation,” she told SVI. “We are doing whatever we can to raise awareness about the crisis and also prevention when it comes to abuse and overdose deaths.”

Ritter reinforced that Wyoming and other states are covered under Good Samaritan laws, which means people can act to try and help someone who they believe has overdosed and are intervening to save their lives while not being held liable.

“Some of the signs you may notice are difficulty breathing,” Ritter continued. “Their pupils may be restricted or small. Their skin may be pale and clammy and they may be unresponsive if you pinch them.”

Ritter says any person can go into any pharmacy in Lincoln County and request doses of Narcan, an agent that will reverse the effects of an overdose due to opioids.

“We are encouraging people to respond by administering a dose of Narcan,” she added. “It is an opioid reversible agent. It is available at all area pharmacies free of cost for anyone who wants them. You can keep it with you so if you can administer it if you come across these types of incidents. If you administer it it will not hurt them but it may save their life.”

The Narcan is a nasal spray similar to anything available over the counter she said. She also reminded people to call 911 and get help on the way.

“All of the pharmacies are participating, you can get how many of those that you can use,” Ritter said. “They have a shelf life of about two years. Please utilize that service. We want that in the hands of our citizens so they can use it if the need arrives.”

For more help, a national help line is available at 800-662-HELP or through LincolnCountyPrevention.com.