Fusion Recovery to Provide Families With Free Training and Opioid Overdose Medication
SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusion Recovery and Addictionologist Dr. Suma Singh, both innovative and evidence-based substance abuse treatment providers located in Santa Clara County, will begin offering completely free training sessions about how to administer a lifesaving dose of Narcan to someone who has overdosed on opiates. After the completion of the training, Fusion Recovery and Dr. Singh will provide free Narcan kits to all participants in an effort to reduce deaths from heroin and other opioid overdoses. This is the first free training and distribution of Narcan kits that specifically targets friends and loved ones in Santa Clara County.
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The opioid class of drugs includes the illicit drug heroin as well as the licit prescription pain relievers oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl and others. In research studies, Narcan has been successful in reviving a person who has overdosed in 98 percent of rescue attempts. Although Narcan can be purchased without a prescription from a pharmacy, it is expensive, costing as much as $145 per dose at pharmacies.
"As a substance abuse treatment facility that not only treats those struggling with addiction but also comprehensively supports family members, friends and loved ones of those who are addicted, Fusion Recovery identified a significant need in the community to arm loved ones with this critical lifesaving medication and training," says Therese Frey, chief executive officer of Fusion Recovery.
"Although these kits are not inexpensive for us to acquire, saving lives is part of our core mission at Fusion Recovery, and we are always looking at innovative and effective ways to do that. This will save lives in our community," explains Fusion Recovery Chief Operating Officer Michael O'Brien. "Approximately 70 percent of overdoses occur in the home or a hotel. We feel that it is critical for those who live with or are close to a heroin- or opiate medication–addicted person to arm themselves with this lifesaving medication and training," says O'Brien.
The founder of Fusion Health, Dr. Suma Singh, will be conducting the training to help educate participants in many areas. Topics will include when an opioid user is at risk for overdose, signs and symptoms of overdose, how to identify the warning signs of an overdose, and how to appropriately administer Narcan and practice a sample administration of it. "This training and the Narcan nasal spray can often be the difference between life and death in overdose situations," says Dr. Singh. "Every second is critical during an overdose, and with emergency services averaging 5 to 15 minutes before arrival, being properly trained on how to use Narcan and when to use it may save your loved one's life," says Dr. Singh. Additional information will be provided on available community resources.
Use of Narcan resulted in almost 27,000 drug overdose reversals between 1996 and 2014, according to a government study published earlier this year. Providing Narcan kits to family members and friends is a safe and cost-effective way to reduce overdose deaths.
Narcan training will begin on September 28, 2016. If you would like to attend, please visit https://www.fusionrecovery.com and click on "Free Narcan Kit with Training" at the bottom right-hand side of the page. Please keep in mind that space for these trainings is limited, so reserve your spot early.
Fusion Recovery, Inc., is an outpatient substance abuse treatment provider serving Silicon Valley, California. To learn more, please visit www.fusionrecovery.com.
Dr. Suma Singh, founder of Fusion Health, is a Harvard- and Stanford-trained physician addiction specialist. Dr. Singh has treated patients with addiction problems for 20 years. Dr. Singh also provides medical care outside of Fusion Recovery through her private practice, Fusion Health. For more information, please visit http://www.fusionhealthmd.com.
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SOURCE Fusion Recovery, Inc.
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