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The Blackfeet Tribal Council met Wednesday to discuss NARCAN implementation in the Blackfeet Reservation. Narcan is a fast-acting drug that counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose, and is a nasal spray.
The tribal council has concluded that NARCAN will be ready to administer in all tribal offices, but in schools, hotels and their casino, Glacier Peaks. Not only is it widely available, but all workers in these sectors are trained in its use, giving them an invaluable life-saving tool.
“Fentanyl is here,” said Laura Jo Kipp, chairwoman of the Blackfet Gaming Commission. It’s everywhere. And I don’t see it going away anytime soon. So if we’re trying to save lives, why not?”
Joe Kipp works closely with Glacier Peak Casino, the site of two recent suspected fentanyl overdoses. It was the incident at the casino that first opened discussion among the Tribal Council about using NARCAN.
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“In the second overdose, it affected not only the victim, but also one of the employees. They had to be transported to the hospital for emergency services,” said Lil Rutherford, business chairman for the tribal council.
Because fentanyl spreads easily, breathing or even touching an intoxicated person can cause the substance to become toxic. In this case, a casino employee was too quick to drink too close to a customer who had taken fentanyl without realizing it.
With NARCAN in place and training provided, the number of opioid-related deaths can be significantly reduced. Blackfeet Tribal Operations Director James McNally is impressed with the initiative the community is taking.
“We need to come together as Blackfeet people to step forward to help our youth and seniors who suffer from addiction. And I think it’s great that we’re doing this effort and there are a lot of people behind it.”
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