Lowell, MA – The Mayor’s Opioid Task Force is issuing new recommendations for healthcare providers and the public due to concerns that a drop in opioid-related emergency calls may indicate that some high risk individuals with opioid use disorder are not getting proper medical attention.
New data provided by Trinity EMS shows that in the first six months of 2019 there were 271 opioid related illness (ORI) emergency service calls compared to 372 calls in the same time frame in 2018, a 27% decline.
While the decline in these numbers across the region is encouraging, public health, medical, and safety officials are concerned that some ORIs are not being reported due to an increase in the administration of the opioid reversal drug Narcan, also known by its generic name Naloxone, by the general public without a call for emergency medical services.
The effects of Narcan are very short, and opioid overdose symptoms may return, even after someone has been given Narcan. Symptoms of an opioid overdose include slowed breathing, vomiting, and cardiac arrest. Public health, medical, and safety officials are urging the public to make sure anyone who experiences an ORI (most commonly an overdose) receive proper medical attention.
The members of the City of Lowell Mayor’s Opioid Task Force have issued the following recommendations:
Recommendations for Providers
- Encourage individuals to call 9-1-1 if they administer Narcan to someone or if they are administered Narcan.
- Educate individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and their loved ones about the Good Samaritan (“Sam”) Law. Check out www.drugfreegreaterlowell.org to learn more.
- Educate individuals with OUD of the risks associated with not seeking medical attention immediately after being administered Narcan.
Recommendations for Family and Loved Ones
- Obtain Narcan and be trained on how to use it. You can receive a Narcan kit and training by calling Lowell Community Health Center (978-221-6767) or Lowell House Addiction Treatment and Recovery (978-459-8656). You can also receive Narcan without a prescription at most pharmacies.
- Remember, if you administer Narcan, the Good Sam Law gives you legal protection when providing reasonable assistance to someone in need.
- Call 9-1-1 immediately after administering Narcan to ensure individuals receive proper medical attention.
The Lowell Health Department strives to promote and protect the health and wellness of the people within Lowell. It fulfills this mission through a wide range of public health programs and outreach health education in a variety of areas.
The Mayor’s Opioid Task Force Data Subcommittee analyzes data sets relevant to the opioid epidemic in Lowell. The following observations and recommendations are tailored for community providers to inform their work.
