Narcan Training Sessions

Narcan training sessions are typically scheduled on the second Tuesday of every month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Lynn City Hall. No registration is required.

Additionally, the Public Health Department provides walk-in trainings as well, if needed.

As Massachusetts continues to see historically high rates of opioid deaths, the City of Lynn is taking critical steps to shrink those numbers.

The Lynn Public Health Department is offering Narcan nasal spray to anyone, free of charge. The brand name of naloxone, Narcan is a lifesaving medication when used promptly in cases of opioid overdose. Family, friends or community bystanders are encouraged to use Narcan as a first response to restore breathing in the event of an emergency.

In late March, the Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan nasal spray for over-the-counter use, making it the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription. That will likely become available later this year, but Lynn community members don’t have to wait—or pay out-of-pocket.

“It’s a completely free service; no insurance needed,” said opioid prevention specialist Candice McClory. “Obviously we want people to call 911, but if they’re in the vicinity of City Hall, they can come in and grab a kit, no questions asked.”

Each emergency kit contains two doses of 4 mg naloxone nasal spray. Face shields and fentanyl test strips are also available. The department has obtained its supply through the State Office of Pharmacy, as part of the Community Naloxone Purchasing Program. The program is available to local health departments, health and human services providers, housing providers, drop-in centers, family support groups and other community spaces throughout the state.

In order to help people be better prepared should they need to use Narcan, the Lynn Public Health Department is hosting monthly trainings at City Hall. McClory and Lynn police officer and registered nurse Jennifer Almonte run the hour-long sessions in both English and Spanish (with Almonte providing the Spanish translations). Businesses and community agencies are encouraged to take advantage of the training.

“Some local programs have reached out, and we want to see more of that,” said McClory. “And if someone can’t attend the formal training, I can give a 15-minute personal training to anyone picking up a kit during City Hall hours.”

“Providing training on how to administer Narcan is part of a comprehensive effort to not only combat substance use disorder, but also ensure that in extreme circumstances, we are using all available resources to try to keep people alive,” said Mayor Jared C. Nicholson.

In 2021, there were more than 2,300 deaths from opioid overdose across the state, which was an all-time high. While the numbers for 2022 have not been released yet, it appears there was a slight decline—at least in the first nine months. But, McClory said, there were still 63 deaths in Lynn alone last year. She urges people to be alert and take action if an individual appears to be unconscious rather than sleeping. In addition to spreading awareness of the naloxone supply, she also encourages people at-risk to visit the office of Healthy Streets, a program of Health Innovations, which provides testing, counseling and harm-reduction services.

“It’s a great program for testing and overdose education,” she said.

Those seeking help with addiction issues can also contact the Lynn Public Health Department to be connected with other resources available to assist in recovery.