By EMS1 Staff
MANCHESTER, N.H. — New data showed that the use of naloxone by laypersons in New Hampshire is on the rise.
Union Leader reported that the number of overdose deaths in Manchester decreased by 27 percent in 2016, according to Chris Stawasz, regional director for AMR in Nashua. However, total overdoses, including non-fatal incidents, rose 11 percent.
“The year 2017 was a year of significant progress in reducing deaths and continuing to provide rapid single point access to people seeking recovery services,” Stawasz said.
The amount of naloxone administered by EMS personnel in 2017 was 2,502.6 mg, down 23 percent from 2016. The amount of naloxone administered by laypersons was 232 mg, an increase of 442 percent, according to the report.
“Layperson Narcan use prior to AMR or fire arrival skyrocketed from 2016 when (it) first became publicly available,” Stawasz said.
Safe Stations, which were incorporated into 10 fire stations where addicts can seek help without fear of being arrested, were visited 1,267 times in Nashua and 1,922 times in Manchester.
“I could not be prouder of the men and women of AMR, Nashua and Manchester Fire, and Nashua and Manchester Police who deal head-on with these situations every single day throughout the year,” Stawasz said. “Their dedication to saving lives and improving the communities they serve has not wavered.”