By Salma Dhalla
Herald Intern
In a time where the Opioid crisis is taking over the nation, local efforts can make all the difference.
The City of Oviedo is taking an important step to help residents across the county combat this issue.
By offering free Narcan (also known as naloxone), a medication that can reverse the effects of drug overdoses, Oviedo is encouraging residents to be prepared for any drug-related emergency.
Individuals can pick up this free Narcan in the main lobby at the Oviedo City Hall located at 400 Alexandria Blvd., Oviedo, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is also available during city council meetings held on the first and third Monday of each month. While the Narcan
offered may not be name brand, it is still just as effective.
Oviedo Deputy Mayor, Natalie Teuchert, touches on this initiative and how it began in the Seminole County Area and at the Oviedo City Hall.
The Council of Local Governments of Seminole County (CALNO), a board of local elected officials and other entities that discuss regional issues, started this initiative a little while ago. When these efforts were producing great results, such as the county “overdose deaths going down by 50%,” the
Oviedo City Hall decided they also wanted to jump on this great cause as well.
The city of Oviedo hopes that this initiative will assist in reducing judgment there may be around overdoses. “There is a stigma around how you approach overdoses. People don’t like to talk about topics that are uncomfortable” Teuchert explains. Other personnel across Seminole County also
heavily promote this program as well. “We have a Sheriff’s department that doesn't shy away from this problem. They take the shame away from overdoses, because it shouldn't be shameful to make sure you have Narcan on hand.” Teuchert emphasizes as well.
To some, this initiative may not pose as relevant to them if they do not deal with opioid use firsthand.
However, overdoses can happen to anyone, and often affect friends, family members, or people in the community. Having Narcan on hand could mean the difference between life and death for someone in a critical moment. Teuchert also touches on why it does not do any harm to simply have Narcan on hand. “[Overdoses] are one of those problems that is hidden, but prevalent. Having
Narcan on hand can let community members know, I’m here to support you even if it doesn't affect [me] personally. On the off chance that [an overdose] happens, you’re going to be glad you have [Narcan] on hand” she explains.
The process to pick up this resource is very simple and easy as well. Teuchert explains how when someone wants to pick up a box at the Oviedo City Hall, they “don’t have to talk to anybody and can just grab one. It also has a QR code to scan that takes you to a video showing how to use it.”
With free Narcan distribution sites all over Seminole County, it allows the community to work together to “lower statistics of overdose deaths” as well. For more information on this free Narcan initiative implemented across Seminole County, individuals can call Community Health at 407-665-2304 to be directed to the nearest distribution site.
