The Emergency Department at the Yukon-Kuskowim Delta Regional Hospital has seen an uptick in the number of patients in the past week who required many times the typical dose of naloxone (often known by the brand name, Narcan) to reverse a street drug overdose. Medical staff believe it is likely due to a contaminated shipment of street drugs in the YK Delta that contain a potentially deadly dose of synthetic fentanyl.
YKHC is encouraging individuals who administer naloxone to a person outside a healthcare setting to call 911 or their village clinic, especially if the individual does not respond to the initial dose.
Naloxone is available after a consultation at the pharmacy at the hospital in Bethel. To obtain naloxone in a village, please speak with your health aide. Individuals who use opioids for any reason or are around others who use opioids are encouraged to obtain this opioid reversal medication.
Individuals interested in opioid addiction treatment should contact YKHC at 907-543-6100 or contact their local behavioral health provider.