DisposeRx supports efforts of Urban Inter-Tribal Center of Texas to combat opioid crisis
DisposeRx, NARCAN and Fatal Vision Opioid Goggles were among the resources shared by the Urban Inter-Tribal Center of Texas (UITCT) as part of their opioid awareness and education efforts earlier this month at the Garland Community Mental Health Fair in Garland, TX.
UITCT is a non-profit working to enhance the health and economic well-being of American Indians. We were proud to support their broader community outreach efforts as they offered DisposeRx at-home prescription drug disposal packets and NARCAN nasal spray to reverse an opioid overdose to mental health fair attendees.
UITCT’s Christopher Logan, a licensed professional counselor and licensed chemical dependency counselor, leads the Center’s education and outreach efforts to help combat the opioid pandemic where Native Americans are among those at highest risk for opioid deaths.
Logan is at the forefront of promoting opioid awareness for Native Nation communities. In addition to offering resources on medication disposal and preventing opioid overdose, he is trained on the Fatal Vision Opioid program where people experience the simulated effects of opioid abuse such as divided attention failure, nodding out, contrast sensitivity impairment, heaviness and lethargy.
When people experience the behavioral effects of opioid use, they are more aware of the severe consequences associated with using opioids.
Many attendees were not aware of the importance of promptly disposing of unneeded medications to prevent poisonings, misuse and accidental overdose. And a large number had never heard of NARCAN or considered the importance of keeping the spray on hand. It can be the key to saving a life if someone were to accidentally overdose or come in contact with an illicit substance such as fentanyl. NARCAN can buy precious time for emergency medical services to get to someone who has overdosed.
DisposeRx is proud to support the opioid education efforts of UITCT—one of our many outstanding Community Outreach Partners!