Baraboo Manufacturing Company Receives Narcan Training

January 23, 2018

For immediate Release:

Contact: Cindy Bodendein, Sauk County Health Director

Baraboo Manufacturing Company Receives Narcan® Training

Today staff at Teel Plastics learned how to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses.  Each participant received a free Narcan® Nasal Spray kit at the conclusion of the free one-hour training  provided by the Sauk County Health Department.  Teel Plastics is the first manufacturing business in Sauk County to offer Narcan® training to their employees. 

“Our drug epidemic, including heroin and the misuse of prescription painkillers, is deeply affecting our local employers,” said Sara Jesse, Health Educator and Narcan® trainer for the Sauk County Health Department.  “Employees and their family members are struggling with drug addiction in record numbers.”  Overdose deaths are now the leading cause of death for Americans under 50, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Sauk County’s rates of opioid-related overdose deaths were among the highest in the state in 2013-2015. 

In an effort to stem this tide, the health department received a grant administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to provide free “Save a Life with a Spray” trainings for community members, first responders, and health professionals. The Wisconsin Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Death Prevention Project is funded by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  Since the local trainings began in June of 2017, over 700 Sauk County residents have learned how to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses using Narcan®.

Opioid overdose deaths can be prevented with naloxone, known as Narcan® in its nasal spray form.  Narcan® is a medication that can reverse the effects of prescription opioid and heroin overdose and can be life-saving if administered in time.  As an opioid blocker, Narcan® is non-addictive and very safe to use.   The Sauk County Health Department offers free naloxone training and distribution in locations throughout Sauk County and by request.  Upcoming Narcan® trainings include:

Reedsburg Library, 370 Vine St:
January 29 from 5:30-6:30

Baraboo West Square Building, 505 Broadway, Rm B24​
February 20: 2-3 pm

Registration is required to receive a free Narcan® kit at the conclusion of the training. A pharmacist will give detailed instructions for use. For more information, please visit: www.co.sauk.wi.us/publichealth  or call the Health Department at (608) 355-3290.