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Dubuque hospital to soon offer heroin, opiate overdose kits to the public

The move is a way to combat the growing opioid problem in Dubuque, says Mercy’s substance abuse treatment center director.
heroin

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa hospital will soon begin offering heroin and opiate overdose rescue kits to the public.

Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque officials announced Friday that the hospital and its pharmacy will distribute kits with two nasal injection doses of naloxone, the Telegraph Herald reports. Naloxone counteracts the effects of opioids.

Mercy’s substance abuse treatment center director Malissa Sprenger says the move is a way to combat the growing opioid problem in Dubuque. Dubuque Drug Task Force statistics show there have been 21 opioid-related overdoses in 2016 through July 20. Eight of those overdoses have resulted in deaths.

To obtain the kits, people must go through a 30-minute training session to ensure the naloxone is administered properly. The first training course is set for Friday, Aug. 5.

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