You can save a life and help to prevent an opioid overdose. Kern County Library has joined local efforts championed by Kern Behavioral Health & Recovery Services and Drug Free Kern to provide free NARCAN, a naloxone nasal spray, that reverses the effects of an opioid, heroin, or fentanyl overdose. All 22 library branch locations in Kern County will have the NARCAN kits available to the community.



Easy to use and needle free, NARCAN is administered as a nasal spray to one nostril and is safe for all ages. NARCAN can quickly restore consciousness and regulate breathing for someone overdosing from an opioid drug. It has no effect on someone with no opioids in their system.



There are six signs to spot an opioid overdose, which include:

1) deep snoring or wheezing

2) blue or grayish skin tint, usually starting in the lips and fingertips,

3) pale, clammy skin

4) not responding to stimulation

5) pulse is faint

6) breathing is slow and irregular or has stopped.



If you think someone is experience an overdose, check their responsiveness, and if non-responsive, administer NARCAN, and then call 911. You should place the person in recovery position on their side with their hand supporting their head while waiting for medical help.

If the person does not respond, you can administer NARCAN every two to three minutes.

 For more information, please visit narcannasalspray.org or call 1-844-4NARCAN (1-844-462-7226). For a digital download on NARCAN, visit https://kerncountylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/NARCAN_Webpage_DigitalInfo_2022.pdf.