Sierra Nevada ASSP May 26 Lunch and Learn

Morgan Green is a Project Manager with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health- CASAT. During her time at CASAT she has overseen the overdose education and distribution of overdose reversal medication, such as NARCAN, and harm reduction supplies across the state of Nevada since 2016. She works with organizations and communities in the state of Nevada to expand access to services targeting those with or at risk of an opioid use disorder. She has worked in the field of substance use treatment and higher education since 2010 and looks forward to many more years ahead.

Summary:

This presentation is designed to provide essential knowledge about harm reduction and skills to prevent opioid overdose deaths. We will explore how we got here and current drug supply trends, including the prevalence of synthetic opioids, contamination with potent analogs, and emerging substances contributing to increased overdose risk.

The presentation highlights Good Samaritan laws, explaining legal protections for individuals who assist during an overdose emergency. Participants will learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, such as slowed breathing, unresponsiveness, and discoloration, and understand how to differentiate these from other medical conditions.

Finally, provide step-by-step instruction on how to respond to an overdose, including the administration of naloxone (Narcan), rescue breathing, and aftercare until emergency services arrive. The training aims to empower individuals—whether community members, professionals, or people who use drugs—to act confidently and effectively in life-saving situations.

This will be a hybrid presentation: