Nexus Care representative at Beaufort County Senior Day urges caution on medications, highlights Narcan access

At a Senior Day event at Buckwalter Recreation Center, Galen of Nexus Care advised Beaufort County seniors to be careful about mixing prescribed medications with alcohol and warned about the dangers of opioids, including fentanyl.

Galen said Nexus Care provides “prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services for substance misuse in Beaufort County,” and described recent outreach efforts, including a new opioid outreach coordinator named Tansla who visits overdose hotspots to distribute supplies and information.

“...the dangers of opioids and fentanyl that are being faced by us and by Beaufort County residents,” Galen said, and stressed that seniors should talk with pharmacists about how prescription and over-the-counter medicines can interact. Galen cited common cough medicines (Dimetapp, Robitussin) as examples of over-the-counter drugs that can affect prescriptions.

Galen told attendees that Narcan (naloxone) is now available 24/7 in purple boxes at multiple Beaufort County library locations and encouraged people to keep doses readily accessible. “Anybody who wants to grab some… it is very beneficial to just make sure that you can be there to save potentially save a life,” Galen said.

Asked about outcomes, Galen said county and EMS efforts have helped reduce opioid overdoses “by 50 percent over the last few years.” That figure was cited by Galen during the event and was not sourced to a specific report at the time of the remarks.

Galen described naloxone administration: it is a nasal spray, and responders should expect to see effects within about two to five minutes and be prepared to give additional doses if necessary. Galen also said Good Samaritan laws protect people who use naloxone to assist someone they believe is overdosing, and added that naloxone only affects people with opioids in their system. He further stated it can be used on pregnant people, older adults and pets exposed to opioids.

The host thanked Nexus Care for attending Senior Day and for the education; Galen thanked Beaufort County for the opportunity to do outreach.

The event did not record any formal actions or votes; Nexus Care’s staff said they will continue outreach and Narcan distribution at county library sites.