SKOWHEGAN — The Somerset County Pathways to Recovery program is working to improve prevention, treatment and recovery for people with opioid use disorder in the county.
One area of focus is to reduce the number of overdoses in the county. An overdose occurs when too much of an opioid is used or if opioids are combined with other substances. It slows down a person’s breathing and heart rate and it can be deadly.
In order to stop an overdose death, Pathways to Recovery is trying to improve access and availability of the life-saving medication Naloxone, better known as Narcan. Giving a person who is experiencing an overdose Narcan can reverse the effects of opioids within minutes. Narcan can help save a life and provides an opportunity for treatment and recovery. Narcan is a nasal spray. It’s safe and it’s easy to use.
If you or a loved one use a pain medication or other opioid, having Narcan with you, at your workplace and in your home first-aid kit is a wise idea. Preventing an overdose death is often the first step in getting someone the help and treatment they need for recovery.
Contact your medical provider, or for more information visit somersetpublichealth.com or on Facebook and Instagram at SomersetPublicHealth to register for an online Narcan training to receive a free Narcan kit by mail.
The Pathways to Recovery program is led by Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Skowhegan Police Department, Kennebec Behavioral Health, HealthReach Community Health Centers in Bingham and Madison, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Redington-Fairview General Hospital and several people with lived experience.
