Tamarack Health Ashland Medical Center - Ashland, 2025 Community Benefits
Free Monthly Narcan Trainings in Ashland Equip the Community with Crucial Education
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When people think of an overdose, they might picture someone with a long history of substance use.But an overdose can impact anyone regardless of age, background, or intentions: a senior managing chronic pain may have taken an extra dose of prescribed medication, not realizing it puts them at risk for respiratory failure; a so-called “good” student might experiment with what they think is a prescription pill, unaware that it’s laced with deadly fentanyl; a child might find a forgotten pill bottle in a cabinet and swallow something lethal before anyone notices; a first responder may come into contact with powder containing fentanyl during the course of their work and suffer toxic exposure.
Opioid overdose deaths in Wisconsin peaked at 1,459 in 2022 and remained high at 1,415 in 2023.Over 84% of incidents were unintentional, and in 53% of cases, a potential bystander had an opportunity to prevent or respond. Narcan is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose. Opioids slow down the activity of the central nervous system. This can cause slowed or stopped breathing, which may lead to death. Naloxone displaces the opioids from the opioid receptors in the brain, which allows the person experiencing an overdose to begin breathing normally.
Substance use was identified as a significant concern in the last Community Health Needs Assessment, conducted by Tamarack Health and the Ashland, Bayfield, and Iron County Health Departments.To address this, Tamarack Health Ashland Medical Center Behavioral Health, in partnership with The BRICK and Ashland County Health & Human Services, offers free monthly walk-in trainings on opioid overdose reversal. Led by Tamarack Health Peer Support Specialist Dan Compton, the trainings teach residents how to administer Narcan properly, and they also receive a free supply of Narcan. There is information available on local recovery and prevention resources, as well as free medication lock boxes and Deterra bags (safe medication disposal pouches).
“These trainings are extremely valuable and only take about 15-20 minutes - an investment that could help save a life,” said Dan Compton.“We’ve held several of these trainings, and the community has been very supportive and interested.”Narcan won't harm someone if they're overdosing on drugs other than opioids, so it's always best to use it if you think someone is overdosing.Narcan is a skill for every community member. It's about preparedness, compassion, and action in moments of crisis.
Opioid overdose deaths in Wisconsin peaked at 1,459 in 2022 and remained high at 1,415 in 2023.Over 84% of incidents were unintentional, and in 53% of cases, a potential bystander had an opportunity to prevent or respond. Narcan is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose. Opioids slow down the activity of the central nervous system. This can cause slowed or stopped breathing, which may lead to death. Naloxone displaces the opioids from the opioid receptors in the brain, which allows the person experiencing an overdose to begin breathing normally.
Substance use was identified as a significant concern in the last Community Health Needs Assessment, conducted by Tamarack Health and the Ashland, Bayfield, and Iron County Health Departments.To address this, Tamarack Health Ashland Medical Center Behavioral Health, in partnership with The BRICK and Ashland County Health & Human Services, offers free monthly walk-in trainings on opioid overdose reversal. Led by Tamarack Health Peer Support Specialist Dan Compton, the trainings teach residents how to administer Narcan properly, and they also receive a free supply of Narcan. There is information available on local recovery and prevention resources, as well as free medication lock boxes and Deterra bags (safe medication disposal pouches).
“These trainings are extremely valuable and only take about 15-20 minutes - an investment that could help save a life,” said Dan Compton.“We’ve held several of these trainings, and the community has been very supportive and interested.”Narcan won't harm someone if they're overdosing on drugs other than opioids, so it's always best to use it if you think someone is overdosing.Narcan is a skill for every community member. It's about preparedness, compassion, and action in moments of crisis.
