Narcan Now Available At 2 Delaware County YMCAs

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Narcan, the life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug, is now available at a few Delaware County YMCA locations according to local officials.

District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland, Chief Joseph A. Ryan of the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigative Division (CID) and Michael Ranck, President and CEO of the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County announced Narcan is available at the Lansdowne and Ridley YMCA locations.

The nasal spray drug is in automated external defibrillator (AED) cabinets at the Lansdowne YMCA, and will be available at the Ridley YMCA and off-site locations.

Copeland and Ryan gave Narcan training to YMCA members and staff, along with an overview of Heroin Task Force initiatives including the disposal of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications through the permanent disposal drop boxes located throughout the county.

"We commend the efforts of our Heroin Task Force to join our community partners such as the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County to make this life-saving drug readily available," Copeland said. "Having Narcan available in the five AED cabinets at the Lansdowne YMCA, and soon other locations, will enable members and staff to save a life in times of an emergency. While this is a life-saving drug, we recognize the importance of taking a holistic approach to the opioid epidemic by providing education, information on safe disposal, and resources for treatment by connecting residents to drug treatment court, recovery programs and workforce development."

Narcan, also known as naloxone, is an opioid antagonist that is easy to administer and quickly reverses the side effects of an opioid overdose with no side effects when administered to someone who is not suffering from an overdose.

The Narcan kit, manufactured by Adapt Pharmaceutical and provided through grant funding from the Heroin Task Force and the District Attorney’s Office, includes two 4 milligram doses with step-by-step instructions to assist anyone in administering the nasal spray.

In an effort to continue to provide training to the public, District Attorney Copeland is also partnering with communities across Delaware County to provide free Narcan kits and overdose response training to individuals who work in recovery and other community partners.

To schedule a free Narcan training, call the District Attorney’s Office at (610) 891-4168.

Learn how to respond to an overdose emergency and receive online training at the District Attorney’s website here.