Save a life - have naloxone!
The Kėdainiai PSPC implements the programme "Programme for Ensuring the Provision of Low Threshold Services in Kėdainiai District 2023-2027" funded by the Kėdainiai District Municipality and the project "Strengthening of low threshold services in Kėdainiai and Raseiniai municipalities 2025" funded by the Republican Centre of Addictive Diseases (RCDD), which includes the distribution of Naloxone kits to addicted persons and their families.
What is naloxone? Naloxone temporarily blocks the opioid receptors that heroin acts on and temporarily stops the signs of an opioid overdose, allowing time to wait for an ambulance. Works for 30-90 minutes.
Signs of an opioid overdose include: unresponsiveness to stimuli (environment, name, pain), labored and shallow breathing, infrequent inhalations, snoring sounds when breathing, loud or no breathing at all, pallor, blue lips and limbs (arms, legs), and severely constricted pupils.
Individuals wishing to receive naloxone kits should seek a consultation with a psychiatrist (which can be anonymous), and are then referred to the Low Threshold Room, where the service continues and kits are dispensed. The kit consists of up to 8 ampoules of naloxone, disposable gloves, alcohol wipes, disposable syringes, a disposable artificial respiration mask, printed educational material 'Preventing overdose deaths. Naloxone". The medical consultation service and the naloxone kits are provided free of charge to beneficiaries.
Danutė Šilkaitienė, a nurse in general practice, working in a team with Lina Dubauskienė, a social worker, introduces the symptoms of an opioid overdose, the principles of first aid in case of an opioid overdose, points out the necessity to call an ambulance in case of opioid overdose, explains the purpose of prescribing a naloxone kit, the action and method of administration of naloxone, and the aspects of the safe use of a syringe. It also discusses how to handle a used syringe and what to do after the expiry date of naloxone or when naloxone is no longer suitable for use.
Residents of the district who would like to receive low-threshold services free of charge and anonymously are invited to contact the Mental Health Department of the Kėdainiai PSPC, Budrio st. 5, Social Workers' Office No. 1 or call +370 611 10420, +370 695 18681.
SAVE A LIFE - HAVE NALOXONE!
