Reach Council gives fentanyl overview, distributes Narcan at Waxahachie ISD meeting

Cassie Street, chief operating officer for Reach Council, presented a fentanyl awareness briefing and naloxone (Narcan) demonstration during a Waxahachie ISD community meeting. Street said Reach provided each attendee with a box of Narcan and walked through how to recognize opioid overdose and how to administer the nasal spray.

Street told the group that fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid and described how counterfeit pills can be deadly. She said fentanyl is “a 100 times stronger than morphine” and “50 times stronger than heroin,” and explained why doses vary between pills from the same batch, calling the variation the “chocolate chipping effect.” The presentation included an instructional video showing the nasal-spray steps and the recommendation to call 911 after administration.

The nut graf: The presentation underscored local prevention and response steps as fentanyl-related overdoses have risen nationwide. Street and other presenters emphasized that naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose and that timely administration and follow-up medical care are critical.

Street summarized how to recognize an opioid overdose—unresponsiveness, slow or stopped breathing, snoring or gurgling sounds, and pale or blue skin—and explained that naloxone (Narcan) “will bring them back from an overdose within 2 to 3 minutes of administering.” She also noted the reversal is temporary and that emergency medical care remains necessary. In the meeting, a short manufacturer video demonstrated the nasal-spray technique: remove the device, tilt the person’s head back, insert the nozzle into one nostril and press the plunger; if the person does not respond within 2–3 minutes, give an additional dose in the other nostril.

Street answered attendees’ questions about transfer risk and storage. She said fentanyl does not absorb through intact skin in most cases and warned against putting powder in the mouth. On storage, she relayed FDA guidance that the product be kept in controlled temperatures but added, “hot naloxone is better than no naloxone,” noting naloxone has been shown to remain effective even after exposure to heat or cold. The presentation also noted Narcan’s FDA approval and that naloxone is available over the counter; Street said a retail cost is about $35–$40 per box but that local Texas Opioid Response funding has enabled some free community distributions through local behavioral-health partners.

Street closed by encouraging attendees to take the boxes placed on a table and to contact Reach if more kits were needed. The meeting materials included instructions and a reminder that naloxone administration does not substitute for emergency medical care.

Ending: Reach staff said they will continue community education and provide additional boxes to partners and residents on request.