Over 100 participants attended the first-ever Gettysburg Black Balloon meeting on Friday afternoon where the topic was awareness and action against the county’s opioid crisis and overdose deaths.
Grenell and Qually
The participants shared stories and learned techniques to combat addiction and deaths before leaving the meeting with black balloons to remind them of the work that remains.
The event was sponsored by the local nonprofit Center for Youth and Community Development (CFYCD) and their community action board Collaborating for Youth (CFY).
“There are now two deaths from the Corona virus in Pennsylvania,” said Adams County Commissioner Marty Qually. “What if the same attention was given to every two overdose deaths in the state?” he asked.
Qually thanked the crowd saying “don’t assume anyone is immune to it. We have to raise awareness because many people still don’t know. Grass roots organizations are the way to make change.”
“We work on all four aspects of the problem – prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery,” said CFYCD Director of Substance Abuse Prevention Eileen Grenell. “Let’s work together. people are up to it,” she said. “There’s a time to remember and a time to react.”
Boxes of Narcan, the overdose-reversal drug were given out, and Bob Willis from the York/Adams Drug and Alcohol Commission explained how to diagnose an opioid overdose and to administer Narcan.
Willis said first-time users and people who have stopped using and started again are most at risk of an overdose.
Characteristics of an overdose are a lethargic or sleeping person with an ashen-gray color.
Willis said the first thing to do is to call 911 and be sure to give them full information. Stay on the phone with as you help the victim.
Try to breathe for the person and put them in the recovery position on their side with their arm under their head and one leg bent.
Narcan which is administered as a nasal spray, should be administered immediately and then again after five minutes, said Willis.
CFYCD Development & Coalition Coordinator Michelle Kern said Narcan should be kept in every home “like a band aid.” The drug does not create a high and its only purpose is to treat an overdose, she said.
“I need Narcan in my house and in my car. I need it everywhere,” said Qually.
We need to help people “before they make the bad decisions,” said Grenell. “Parents are the most important influence.”
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.