Be Opioid Free
Opioid misuse is an epidemic in Calhoun County. Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and others.
Are you ready to live life opioid free?
Be Aware, Be Informed, Prevent Opioid Use
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are a broad group of pain-relieving medicines that work with your brain cells. Opioid medication travels through the blood and attaches to opioid receptors in brain cells blocking pain messages and boosts feelings of pleasure. Even though opioids are effective in treating pain, they are also very dangerous. Misuse and high doses can slow breathing and heart rate, which can lead to death. The pleasure of not feeling pain that results from taking an opioid can make you want to continue taking them more often and at higher doses, which can result in addiction. A person's brain and behavior can be so badly affected by opioids that they no longer can control the use of opioids. What makes opioid medicines effective for treating pain also can make them dangerous.
To reduce your risk of opioid addiction or misuse, ask your doctor for alternative pain medication or use a holistic method of pain control.
Say No to Opioids and Stop Overdoses
Overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. Using opioids, whether prescribed or illegally, comes with a significant risk of overdose. Signs of an opioid overdose include:
- Loss of consciousness or limp body.
- Slow breathing, shallow breathing, or choking.
- Small, "pinpoint" pupils.
- Pale, blue, or cold skin.
- Slowed heart rate.
If you see someone exhibiting any of the above signs, dial 911 immediately. If you or a loved one is actively using opioids, we encourage you get a FREE Naloxone (NARCAN®) kit. Opioid emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. Narcan is an FDA approved nasal spray for the emergency treatment of an opioid overdose. One spray can save a life!
Narcan Training Video
Emergency medical service units average 9.9 minutes from the time of a 911 call to arrival on the scene. During an opioid emergency, it can only take 4 minutes for brain damage to occur after someone stops breathing, and death can result in another 4-6 minutes. NARCAN® Nasal Spray can reverse the effects of an opioid emergency by restoring breathing while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.
Watch our training video to help you learn about Narcan and how to safely administer Narcan to save a life!
You Can Save a Life with Just One Pump of Mist from Narcan/Naloxone!
Narcan/Naloxone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist—meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids, such as such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone. Administered when a patient is showing signs of opioid overdose, Naloxone is a temporary treatment and its effects do not last long. Therefore, it is critical to obtain medical intervention as soon as possible after administering/receiving Naloxone.
Get Your FREE Narcan/Naloxone Kit
We offer FREE Narcan/Naloxone kits throughout Calhoun County. Many of the "vending machines" are placed in accessible locations and available 24/7. If your kit expires, please bring your kit to our office during normal business hours, and we will be glad to exchange your kit for a new one.
- Alano Club: 1125 W Territorial Rd, Battle Creek, MI
- Battle Creek Transportation Center: 119 S McCamly St., Battle Creek MI
- Calhoun County Correctional Center: 185 E Michigan Ave, Battle Creek MI
- Calhoun County Building: 315 W Green St, Marshall MI
- Fountain Clinic: 111 N Jefferson St., Suite #1, Marshall MI
- Kellogg Community College: 450 North Ave., Battle Creek, MI
- SHARE Center: 120 Grove St, Battle Creek MI
- Silver Star Apartments: 44 N Clark Rd., Battle Creek MI
- Substance Abuse Council: 34 W. Jackson St., Suite 2A, Battle Creek, MI
Live Calhoun Free! Without Stigma
It's time to free Calhoun County from opioid stigma. Instead, support recovery.