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Santa Fe County Partners with Santa Fe Public Schools on Narcan Distribution and Training

Today Santa Fe County announces a new partnership with the Santa Fe Public Schools and its Santa Fe Prevention Alliance for the purchase and distribution of Narcan to first responders, the Santa Fe Public schools and community laypersons in Santa Fe County. The contract also includes provisions for opioid overdose prevention training and Narcan administration for first responders, people who use opioids, and family members who may be in position to witness and respond quickly to a drug overdose. The total amount of the contract is $100,000.

Narcan is a brand name formulation of naloxone, the first FDA-approved intranasal device that can stop or reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription medication such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine, as well as the illegal drug heroin. When someone overdoses on an opioid, it can be difficult to awaken the person, and breathing may become shallow or stop completely– leading to death if there is no medical intervention. When Narcan is administered quickly, it can counter the overdose effects.

Veronica Garcia, Superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools states, “The Santa Fe Prevention Alliance’s overdose prevention and response program, in collaboration with the Santa Fe County Community Services Department, will help create a healthier environment for our students, their families, and the public. Santa Fe Public Schools is proud to be involved in these life-saving efforts. It is an incredible opportunity to contribute to the well-being of our community."

Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioner Chair Miguel Chavez says, “Santa Fe County has been on the cutting edge of reducing drug overdose in our community, and we are pleased to have Santa Fe Public Schools as our newest partner.” The County’s Community Services Department also provides substantial funding for treatment and navigation services for Santa Fe County residents in need.

Drug overdose deaths, driven largely by prescription opioid overdoses, are now the leading cause of injury death in the United States and New Mexico, surpassing motor vehicle crashes. In the past ten years deaths due to drug overdose have more than doubled. According to statistics released last week by the New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe County saw a 6.7 percent rise in overdose deaths, to 48 in 2015, three more than the year before. The county ranked ninth out of the state’s 33 counties, with a rate of 33.9 deaths per 100,000 residents last year, compared to a state rate of 24.8. In its Health Action Plan 2014-2017, Santa Fe County has committed to reducing the number of drug overdoses in our community.

Contact for more information: Rachel O’Connor, Santa Fe County, 505-992-9842