Public health staff demonstrates Narcan use and announces county distribution plan

Polk County Public Health staff gave the Board a practical briefing on intranasal naloxone (Narcan) on June 2 and announced the county will distribute kits and wallet cards at its public‑health locations and community events funded by opioid settlement dollars.

"Narcan saves lives," said Sarah Shemik, a public‑health wellness coordinator, as she showed commissioners the intranasal boxes and explained step‑by‑step use. She described the boxes as containing two doses, demonstrated inserting the nozzle and pressing the plunger, and emphasized calling 911 and providing rescue breathing until emergency services arrive.

Shemik told the board Narcan is available without a prescription, is legal to carry, and is covered by Good Samaritan protections. She said the county will offer one box per day, no questions asked, at each public‑health location and will distribute kits and information at county events such as the county fair.

Commissioners asked clinical and practical questions about rescue breathing, pediatric dosing and storage. Shemik clarified that rescue compressions are acceptable if a bystander is more comfortable with compressions than rescue breaths, that Narcan is safe for accidental pediatric administration, that intranasal administration is rapid (two to five minutes) and that some cases require multiple doses.

Public‑health staff said the county also created wallet cards with instructions and contact information, and that training will be available in group and one‑on‑one settings to help community members feel confident using the kits.

Next steps: Public Health will make Narcan boxes and wallet cards available at its East Grand Forks, Crookston and McIntosh locations and will provide training opportunities for community groups and at public events.