MORE THAN FIVE PEOPLE DIE EVERY DAY FROM OPIOID OVERDOSES IN ARIZONA. ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, ANOTHER PERSON WAS PRESENT IN NEARLY 40% OF ALL U.S. OVERDOSE DEATHS. WITH THE PROPER TOOLS AND TRAINING, BYSTANDERS CAN ACT TO PREVENT FATAL OVERDOSES.

IN A CONTINUED EFFORT TO SAVE LIVES, THE CENTRAL ARIZONA FIRE AND MEDICAL AUTHORITY (CAFMA) HAS LAUNCHED THE NALOXONE LEAVE BEHIND PROGRAM, ADMINISTERED BY THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES (ADHS).

NALOXONE (NARCAN®) IS A LIFESAVING MEDICINE THAT RAPIDLY REVERSES AN OPIOID OVERDOSE. THROUGH A GRANT, ADHS PROVIDES CAFMA WITH PRE-PACKAGED, INTRANASAL NALOXONE TO BE LEFT BEHIND WITH FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE MEDICINE MAY BE NEEDED IN THE FUTURE BY A COMMUNITY MEMBER AT RISK. THE KIT INCLUDES AN INSTRUCTIONAL PAMPHLET ON PROPER IDENTIFICATION OF A POTENTIAL OVERDOSE AND HOW TO USE THE INTRANASAL SPRAY.

CAFMA HAS RESPONDED TO SUSPECTED OPIOID ABUSE OVER 230 TIMES SINCE JANUARY 1, 2022.

CAFMA ENGINES AND RESCUES HAVE LEAVE BEHIND KITS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE AT RISK, AND THEY ASK YOU TO PLEASE REACH OUT FOR MORE INFORMATION.