NCACH Regional Opioid Stakeholders Workgroup releases application for organizations to obtain funding to provide Narcan kits

For immediate release -- February 21, 2019The North Central Accountable Community of Health Governing Board has allocated $20,000 for Targeted Narcan (naloxone) Training and Distribution in 2019. At the guidance of the Regional Opioid Stakeholders workgroup, NCACH will distribute funding to allow local partners to buy and distribute Narcan.Targeted Narcan Distribution is an evidence-based intervention strategy to reduce opioid overdose deaths. Narcan is an opioid antagonist that can quickly and safely reverse the potentially fatal effects of an opioid overdose. Targeted distribution programs seek to train and equip individuals who are most likely to encounter or witness an overdose – especially people who use drugs and first responders – with Narcan kits, which they can use in an emergency to save a life. By equipping these individuals with Narcan and training them to identify and respond to an overdose, the potential delay between the onset of an opioid overdose and the delivery of life-saving care can be reduced from hours to seconds. This is especially true in rural areas, where residents may experience longer EMS response times. Ready access of Narcan among members of the lay community is key for saving lives.This opportunity is open to any non-profit or government agency located in and serving North Central Washington (Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties). Funding will be available only for the purchase of Narcan, at the non-profit rate offered by Adapt Pharma ($75 per 2 dose box). Funding is not available to pay for staff time for providing the necessary training or registration/table fees at events.To learn more and apply for funding for Narcan kits, please download the application here: https://ncach.org/wp-content/uploads/Targeted-Narcan-Training-and-Distribution-Application.docxTo learn more about NCACH’s work to address the opioid crisis, please visit: ncach.org/opioid-project--Through cross-sector, regional collaboration, NCACH is working to improve community health in North Central Washington. NCACH is uniquely situated to engage a broad range of partners – from grassroots non-profits to government agencies – in discussion and action to improve population health. NCACH is one of nine Accountable Communities of Health formed in Washington through the Healthier Washington initiative. As part of this initiative, the NCACH is undertaking a regional project addressing the opioid use public health crisis in North Central Washington. The project objective, as described by the Washington State Health Care Authority, is to support the achievement of the state’s goals to reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality through strategies that target prevention, treatment, overdose prevention, and recovery supports.