OC Narcan Training & Distribution Program
By Adela I. Sanchez, BSN, RN, PHN MiraCosta College Health Services, in partnership with California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is proud to offer the distribution of Narcan. Now, you may be asking what is Narcan and why would I need it? What are opioids? Opioids are types of drugs used to treat pain. Common prescription opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, codeine, and methadone. Fentanyl is another opioid that can be prescribed to treat pain. Fentanyl is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches, lozenges, or tablets. Fentanyl can be illicitly manufactured, most often as a powder or in counterfeit tablets. It is sold alone or often produced (many times unknown to the user) in other illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or methadone. Another opioid is heroin, which is made from morphine; a natural substance taken from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants. Heroin comes in a white or brownish powder, or a black