Clackamas County trainers demonstrate naloxone use, urge wider kit access

Elizabeth (Liz), a training presenter, opened a Clackamas County community session by recounting a personal survival story: “03/07/2010 was the last time that naloxone was used to save my life,” she said, adding that naloxone reversed eight overdoses before she found recovery.

Katie, a co-presenter, framed the session as a practical training aimed at giving attendees the knowledge to recognize opioid overdoses and safely administer naloxone. She said the trainers would cover overdose signs, demonstration of administration techniques, and local trends in overdose fatalities.

The presenters summarized national and state data showing a long-term rise in overdose fatalities and a sharp increase in deaths tied to synthetic opioids (primarily illicit fentanyl) beginning around 2015. Katie said opioids accounted for roughly 75% of U.S. overdose fatalities in 2020–21 and that synthetic opioids made up more than 64% of overdose deaths by 2021. She reported an all-time high of about 110,000 drug overdose deaths in 2023 and noted a roughly 26% decrease between 2023 and 2024.

Locally, trainers showed county maps (2019–2025) identifying hotspots in Clackamas County by ZIP code, naming Oregon City, Milwaukee and the Happy Valley–Clackamas area as having higher counts of fatal overdoses and 911 calls. Katie stressed that some toxicology results remain pending and that maps did not adjust for population size when highlighting raw counts.

The session included a myths-and-facts segment led by Elizabeth. She stated, “Naloxone will only work if opioids are present,” and that naloxone does not encourage drug use; rather, “death keeps people from seeking treatment.” She also said naloxone is safe for children, pregnant people and even pets when used as directed, and that routine skin contact with fentanyl will not produce overdose-level absorption, while advising basic PPE and handwashing.

On laws and policy, Katie summarized a 2023 Oregon bill that decriminalized fentanyl test strips, established a standing order allowing pharmacies to dispense naloxone to anyone, and allowed first responders to leave naloxone kits at the scene. Elizabeth described Good Samaritan overdose-law protections, saying callers who assist in good faith are generally protected from arrest for most drug-related charges and are immune from civil liability when administering naloxone.

Trainers demonstrated both nasal and intramuscular naloxone. Elizabeth showed a 4 mg nasal spray and described it as a first-line option, and also walked through intramuscular kits containing 0.4 mg vials and small syringes. She advised positioning the person with their head tilted back for nasal delivery, aiming the IM injection toward the outer thigh for intramuscular doses, and carrying two nasal doses when possible. “All of the kits that are handed out in Clackamas County also have descriptive things on them telling you how to administer,” she said.

On immediate care: presenters instructed attendees to first ensure scene safety and call 911, try to rouse the person, administer naloxone, provide rescue breaths (about one breath every five seconds), and check breathing. If the person is still not breathing, they advised a second naloxone dose after two minutes. Elizabeth noted that one to two doses are generally effective and that naloxone’s effects may wear off after about 30–90 minutes, so staying with the person and getting EMS evaluation is recommended.

Trainers relayed findings from an Oregon Health Authority report they used for context: they said approximately 78% of people who died of an overdose were not receiving treatment at the time, 71% had not been administered naloxone prior to death, over 36% had a diagnosed mental illness, and about 20% were houseless at the time of overdose (meaning most people who die of overdose are housed).

The presenters closed with resources and contacts: Elizabeth offered her contact information for follow-up, and Katie pointed attendees to the Behavioral Health Resource Network, the Clackamas County crisis line and an email address for training or policy assistance.

The session combined lived experience, regional data and step-by-step practice guidance; trainers urged attendees to carry naloxone, call 911 in suspected overdoses and partner with culturally specific community organizations to reach groups disproportionately affected by overdose.