ACCIDENT — Distribution of Narcan was a topic of discussion at the Accident Town Council meeting on Aug. 13.
Sharon Custer of the Health Education and Outreach Division of the Garrett County Health Department attended the meeting for this purpose. She stated that the number of overdose deaths in the county has been rapidly increasing.
“Because of this, we’re reaching out to the community sites to obtain permission to come to a public area and make Narcan available to pick up for those who may need it or maybe are not able to come to the health department to pick it up,” she said.
Custer explained that Narcan reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and is used to save lives. When an individual picks it up, instructions are given on how to use it and what to do to help the person in need of it. In addition, information is given about treatment services and where to get help for addiction.
“The sheriff’s office reported that since January there have been 19 overdoses in our county, and some of those overdoses have been fenantyl, methamphetamine, heroin and then some are pending,” Custer said. “But for 10 of those overdoses, Narcan was given to the individual. And 12 of them were hospitalized, and four of them were fatalities.”
Custer noted that many times people don’t have Narcan is available.
“So that’s our whole purpose is to try and reach out to the communities and make it more available to people so that if it’s needed, it’s in the hands of people that can give it,” she said.
Mayor Richard Carlson stated that he hopes people won’t think that if they have Narcan, it is OK to take a drug because somebody can bring them out of an overdose.
“We don’t want that, either,” he said.
Custer agreed, stating that the heath department does not want to enable people.
“But at the same time, if we know someone is using drugs, we wouldn’t want to lose a life, either,” she said. “I know there has been one here in our community not too long ago. Sometimes other people overdose too. It could be an elderly person who forgets they took medicine and takes it again and that sort of thing … we still like to have it in the hands of people that can use it.”
She explained that as with any addiction, it’s not always a choice.
“It may be a choice to use it the first time, but it is a disease, and if they don’t seek help, then it might be the only saving grace for them,” Custer said.
She also noted that if someone uses Narcan in cases that are not overdoses, it will not harm them.
Council members were in agreement to hold the Narcan event at the Town Hall. Custer will get back to them on a date.
• Cpl. Ralph Davis, community policing director of the Maryland State Police McHenry Barrack, also attended and spoke to the council.
Concerning illegal drugs, he noted they are not as prevalent in the town of Accident as they are in other areas.
“It’s out there,” he said. “Our task forces are working on it — the sheriff’s department task force and our task force, even though they’re separated now. They are aware of it, and they are working more in the county.”
Davis also spoke about traffic enforcement in the town.
“A lot of times they’re getting the vacationers coming in,” he said. “They’re getting all the drugs before they get here. I know last week they got a handgun that was stolen. There’s a lot of stuff like that. You have all kinds of stuff just traveling through town here, but they’re working on it.”
• Carlson reported on several items that have been completed at the new wastewater treatment plant, including the fence.
“It’s nice that we went down during the last meeting so everyone is aware of what it’s like there,” he said.
• Council also discussed the algae situation at the town pond and fountain, which still has not been fully resolved.
“We’re supposed to be getting cooler weather,” he said. “When it’s real hot, the algae takes off.”
• First People’s Community Credit Union requested input concerning moving the ATM at the Accident branch to create a drive-thru rather than a walk-up situation.
Council’s next meeting is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.
