Olney Police equips residents with free Narcan
RELATED: Texas launches interactive map to find Narcan, prevent fentanyl overdoses
The training session was hosted by the Olney Police Department, with two sessions taking place at the Olney Civic Center at 11 a.m. and noon on Thursday. Representatives with the Central Plains Center led the training session.
According to Dan Birbeck, Olney's Chief of Police, the ongoing fentanyl epidemic isn't just impacting large cities but smaller communities all over Texas.
'We do know that there's fentanyl here,' Chief Birbeck said. 'We're dealing with a lot of methamphetamine, heroine, cocaine, things like that, but it's laced with fentanyl. It's dangerous because you don't see it.'
As a part of the training event, free doses of Narcan were given to concerned citizens, church leaders, parents, and grandparents. They were instructed on how to use the potentially life-saving treatment in detail.
RELATED: Breaking Fentanyl's Grip: The dangers and efforts of relief
'We're educating our community and getting Narcan into the hands of people that can make a difference and save a life,' Chief Birbeck said.
Attendees also learned how to spot the signs of an overdose, what to do if they suspect someone they know is experiencing an opioid overdose, and what to do after they distribute Narcan.
'I always say, cops and paramedics are minutes away when seconds count,' Chief Birbeck said. 'The Narcan is just kind of a stop-gap to get them from where they overdosed to a medical facility so they can truly reverse the effects.'
According to officials with the Central Plains Center, Narcan's effects last for 30 to 90 minutes. They said that after distributing Narcan, someone experiencing an overdose should be taken to a hospital as soon as possible because they could potentially go back into overdose.
Cam Montoya, a Young County resident, was in attendance on Thursday morning. She said she's seen the impact of dangerous drugs in her community.
'A lot of the drugs that are in Young County nowadays, I mean, people are overdosing all the time,' Montoya said. 'The Narcan will really come in handy.'
After receiving the training and her free doses of Narcan, Montoya said she hopes she never has to use it, but she's ready if she ever does.
'I have three grandchildren that are in their teens, so I worry about them getting ahold of the wrong stuff,' Montoya said.
RELATED: Why every home should have Narcan
Gov. Greg Abbott announced on March 26, 2025, the launch of a new interactive website that allows users to locate where Narcan is available for free or to purchase.
This new tool, run by the Texas Department of State Health Services, is a part of the statewide 'One Pill Kills' campaign launched in 2022 in an effort to prevent fentanyl overdose deaths in Texas.
NARCAN locations through the new tool include the following, as provided by Abbott's office:
Type of site (e.g., community health clinics, recovery support services, vending machines)
Hours of location
Phone number
Website
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