Last evening I was invited to downtown Dallas, at Chet’s. The event was a launch party for a non-profit. I did not know what to expect. I was greeted by my dear friend Cynthia who was launching her non-profit. Only last week when I was invited to this event, she had told me that she had lost her step-son to Fentanyl. I was shocked at the news, as I had met with this young man several times in the past. An intellectual, a researcher, a writer, and most importantly a beautiful soul who was very soft spoken.  

Other guests arrived to the event, and around 5pm the guest speaker, Jarrod Gilstrap, from the Dallas Fire-Rescue department started to speak. What I didn’t know at the time was what I was going to hear, and learn from him speak. With my travels and a love to make recordings, I decided to record the speaker. As he spoke, I learnt I did not know anything about the subject,  a Nasal Spray by the name of Narcan. Using it, one could save someone’s life. He then demonstrated step by step on how to give it to someone going through an ‘overdose’ of opioids, such as Heroine, Fentanyl, and others. I was definitely shocked to hear that so many people were dying due to overdose of opioids in the Dallas area, and specially Fentanyl.  The audience listening was very alert, watching and listening to everything that was being shared by the guest speaker, as he shared his experiences with us, as well as showing the step by step use of Narcan in case of emergency. 

I decided to write this article with hope that a) you become aware of a problem that exists, b) you can share this article or LIVEGY.ORG website with your loved one or of anyone you know is experiencing opioid addiction, c) help LIVEGY.ORG in their mission to make Narcan easily accessible to people and places that could stock these in case of emergencies, such as restaurants, bars, party places where an emergency could pop-up any time. Do visit their website and find ways to help LIVEGY.ORG with their mission. Just a spray or more of the Narcan can save a life by buying a few minutes before EMS arrives to the location. 

In the video below, Jarrod Gilstrap, from Dallas Fire-Rescue department walks you through step by step process to administering the nasal spray ‘Narcan’ to anyone in danger.

Below is the video of guest speaker Jarrod Gilstrap answering audience’s questions, that everyone should know. (Note: the questions and answers start after 4min 50sec mark on this video).