This is incredibly heart breaking. Six people in Yellowstone County have overdosed in the last three days and one person lost their life. Riverstone health officials said in a news release on Tuesday.

The health department suspects the overdoses were of opioids, yet the exact substance has not been confirmed. With that being said are you familiar with Naloxone also known as Narcan? It is used to reverse overdoses, and it was used in five of the cases reported this week.

Narcan is available for the public to pick up for free in various places around town. Narcan (naloxone) is an over-the-counter drug used to treat known or possible opioid overdose.

What is Narcan and why is it importanat? It comes as a nasal spray and rapidly reverses the effects of opioids. Naloxone can be administered by health care workers or bystanders to people with suspected opioid poisoning.

The United States is in the middle of a devastating opioid epidemic, and its deadliest driver is fentanyl.

This synthetic opioid, far more potent than heroin, is fueling a tragic and alarming surge in overdose deaths.

According to World Drug Report there is an international crisis of drug overdose.

Over the last twenty years drug overdose deaths have increased significantly in many parts of the world. Each year a record number of deaths are reported, predominantly driven by the misuse of opioids, often in combination with other drugs including benzodiazepines, stimulants and alcohol.

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If you would like to pick up some FREE Narcan up and get a training on how to use it, or if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please contact Rimrock Foundation.

In 2021, an estimated 296 million people – one in every 17 people aged 15-64 – had used a drug in the past 12 months, a 23 per cent increase from 2011.

Narcan is also available at Riverstone Health and for purchase at various stores.