On Saturday, April 28, Fargo Fire Department and Fargo Police Department were called to the scene of an overdose. Fargo Fire administered the supply of naloxone on the responding engine and requested use of Fargo Police Department’s Narcan. A 25-year-old Fargo woman’s life was saved because the two entities carry the antidote that reverses opioid overdoses.
Fargo Cass Public Health has trained and equipped local law enforcement agencies with Narcan using funds provided by the State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis grant. Agencies receiving Narcan include the Fargo Police Department, West Fargo Police Department, NDSU Police and the Cass County Sheriff's Office. Since October, Fargo Cass Public Health has provided Narcan training to 555 people, including local law enforcement, schools and area non-profits.
Melissa Markegard, Narcan trainer at Fargo Cass Public Health said, "We are hoping to expand our prevention efforts during the next year by training even more community members. Treatment for people with substance use disorders is vital. In order to get them to treatment, we must work to keep them alive. Administering Narcan and saving their life is the first step.”
Contact Melissa Markegard at 701.476.4083 with questions or for more information.