8 minute read
LYMAN EVENTS
from Town Times
sponded to more overdoses off the clock than on.”
Every day of the week, Morris drives the organization’s van to various locations where she provides services such as wound care kits, safe sex supplies, recovery support referrals and opioid use treatment, among other things.
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One of the things Morris distributes is naloxone, an opioid antagonist that has successfully reversed more than 2,000 overdoses statewide since 2016. Morris’ handouts resulted in 78 of them.
Either as an injection or nasal spray, naloxone is cur- rently available with a prescription through a physician or pharmacist, without a prescription at pharmacies that have a standing order, or through a community health organization like the one Morris works in.
But starting in late summer, a brand of nasal spray naloxone, Narcan, will be available over-the-counter after approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month.
Access may be difficult in rural areas
Despite the FDA approval, some people in Connecticut may still have a difficult time obtaining Narcan over-thecounter. Currently, 28 towns in the state, mostly rural, don’t have a store that is eligible to sell over-the-counter medication, according to permit data from the Department of Consumer Protection. In these towns, since 2018, there have been at least 104 opioid overdose deaths.
And while a store with Narcan could be just a town away for those with access to transportation, it’s not as simple for individuals with opioid use disorder that are also experiencing homelessness or those that don’t have access to a car.
Drug Take Back
Until then, one of the most direct ways to access naloxone is through a pharmacy, since they’re conveniently located in many neighborhoods, providing quick and direct access to residents.
Yet, there are 45 towns where a pharmacy with a certified pharmacist is not available to prescribe and dispense naloxone or solely dispense it through a standing order. And in these towns, since 2018, there have been at least 149 opioid overdose deaths.
Towns in the Record-Journal coverage area, including See Narcan, A14
In Brief
Residents can clear their homes of no-longer-needed prescription drugs Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the resident state troopers office in both Middlefield (405 Main St.) and Durham (144 Pickett Lane). The communities have hosted Drug Take Back events since 2014, resulting in more than 1,000 pounds of unused or expired medication being disposed of. For more information, email Dena Miccinello at dmiccinello@dmyfs.org.
Lineworkers
Eversource is partnering with Housatonic Community College and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Unions 420 and 457 to prepare the next generation of electrical lineworkers in Connecticut. The Lineworker Certificate Program provides students valuable training in the electric utility industry and the opportunity to progress into Eversource’s paid apprenticeship program. For details, visit Eversource.com.
Reading challenge
The Hartford Yard Goats
Baseball Club, in partnership with Eversource, has announced the return of a student reading challenge for the 2023 season. Students (K through 8th grade) who read five books outside of the school curriculum will earn two tickets to a Yard Goats game. Parents/ guardians can register students on yardgoatsbaseball.com through May 6.
Boxes to Boots
Berlin-based non-profit Boxes to Boots, 28 Chamberlain Highway, sends care packages to members of the U.S. military serving overseas. To learn more about the organization and its needs, visit boxestoboots.org.
Mentoring
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the 119-year-old national youth mentoring organization. Based in Hartford, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut offers lifechanging programs to at-risk children in all of the state’s 169 municipalities.
Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters by visiting ctbigs.org.
Sunblock, hat—bring
Transit-
Meriden, Wallingford, Southington, North Haven, Durham, Cheshire and Berlin, have no stores that lack over-the-counter permits or do not have a pharmacist that can prescribe naloxone. Middlefield is among the 28 towns without a store eligible to sell overthe-counter medication.
Emergent BioSolutions, Narcan’s manufacturer, will set the price of over-the-counter Narcan and is already facing pressure from officials, such as U.S. Sen. Blumenthal, urging it to make it affordable.
For friends and family of drug users
“Narcan is not for people who use drugs. It is for people who may encounter someone who uses drugs … You can’t ‘Narcan’ yourself,” said Morris. But a bystander, such as a friend or family member, could. And CDC data shows that almost 40% of overdose deaths involving opioids or stimulants occurred with someone else present, creating a need for widespread availability of naloxone among non-drug users.
“That is definitely part of my spiel all the time: You don’t use alone. If you have to use alone, use the Never Use Alone Hotline or one of those apps [NORA] or wear your Narcan so that if you fall out and somebody comes upon you, they will be more likely to administer it for you,” said Morris.
Morris used to have an active opioid use disorder, using the opioid-based painkiller Percocet in amounts far larger than recommended. In 2012, she decided to go to treatment.
“I was just sick and tired of living the way I was and being sick and chasing not being sick. I wasn’t even being high. It was just to get out of bed and function. And so I went to treatment,” said Morris.
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Since then, Morris has been in long-term remission for over a decade. Besides being a certified community health worker, she runs a blog about topics related to substance use and harm reduction, is organizing a network that provides support for people that experience or are at risk of experiencing vicarious trauma through their work, and her story is appearing in a federally sponsored documentary about opioid use.
CT legislation aims to increase access to naloxone
Before the FDA approval, there were four bills regarding access to naloxone that made their way out of the Public Health Committee and could be considered in the full General Assembly in the coming weeks.
One of the more expansive bills is Senate Bill 9, which would do two things. It would create the Opioid Antagonist Bulk Purchase Fund to provide grants to certain entities that purchase large quantities of opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, in bulk at a discounted price. Those able to access the fund include municipalities, local or regional boards of educa-
See Narcan, A17
Budget
From A1 and presented by the Regional School District 13 Board of Education be approved?"
Those in favor shall vote yes. Those opposed shall vote no.
Voting will be at the following polling places: Korn Community Center, 144 Pickett Lane, Durham; Middlefield Community Center, 405 Main St., Middlefield.
Copies of the proposed budget will be mailed to every postal patron in Durham and Middlefield.
MERIDEN REPUBLICAN
TOWN COMMITTEE
Chicken Tenders, Sweet Potato Fries, Italian Wedding Soup, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORHOODS
Silver City Waffle, Strawberry Sundae, Hot Fudge Sundae, Water
MERIDIAN LODGE #77
Mini Donuts
AMERICAN LEGION
Meatball Grinders, Water
NESIT
Snow Cones, Slushy Frozen Drinks
NOAH’S ARK OF HOPE
Kettle Korn: Small, Medium, Large or Jumbo, and Gatorade
NORTH ITALIAN
HOME CLUB
Fried Dough, Water
SUNDAY, APRIL 30TH 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. &
FOOD VENDORS
DEMOCRATIC TOWN
COMMITTEE
Pizza Slice, Brownie Sundae, Italian Ice, Water, Powerade
ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CLUB
Steamed Cheeseburgers, Homemade French Fries, Homemade French Fries with cheese, Corn Dogs, Hot dog on a stick, Water, Soda
MERIDEN TURNER SOCIETY
German Bratwurst with Kraut, Pork
Schnitzel, Deep Fried German Hot Dog with Kraut, Ribbon Fries with Cheese, Deep Fried Oreos, Funnel Cakes, Gatorade, Soda, Water
A.O.H
Kielbasa Sandwich w/wo Kraut, Kielbasa on a Stick, Breakfast Sandwich, Water
SOUTH CHURCH M2
Cannolli, Coffee, Iced Coffee, Water
MERIDEN KIWANIS CLUB
Fried Dough, 1/2 Piece Fried Dough, Water
IGLESIA DE DIOS CASA DEL ALFARERO
Dinner (Rice/Chicken/Macaroni Salad), Empanadas - Chicken & Beef, Shish Kabobs - Pork & Chicken, Non-alcoholic Pina Coladas, Passion Fruit Juice, Soda
AMICI DELLA VIGNA
Sausage & Pepper Grinder, Jumbo Hot Dog, Jumbo Chili Dog, Pasta Fagioli, Pink Lemonade
MERIDEN RAIDERS
Walking Tacos, Beef Patties, Chicken
Patties, Cocoa Bread, Pickles, Soda, Water
MERIDEN LIONS CLUB
Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Hot Dogs, Chili Dogs, Bowl of Chili, Egg Sandwiches, Water
MERIDEN/WALLINGFORD
NAACP
Chicken & Waffles, Water
MAKE A WISH
Hot Lobster Rolls, Cold Lobster Rolls, Water, Craft Soda
ST. ANDREWS CHURCH
Corn on the Cob, Hot Pretzels
LITTLE MISS DAFFODIL & HONOR ESCORT CEREMONY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26 6:30 P.M • TENNIS COURTS
SATURDAY, APRIL 29 “DAFFODILS ON PARADE” 11:30 A.M.
GRAND MARSHAL: BUDDY ALTOBELLO
Ongoing
CRAFT FAIR: Juried crafters from all over the eastern United States will be displaying and selling their artistic products by Mirror Lake, occupying over 70 spaces from 10am to 8pm Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.
AMUSEMENTS: will operate Friday from 5pm to closing; Saturday from 10am to 8pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Wristbands on Sunday for $25.O0 from 10am-1pm - ALL AMUSEMENTS ARE WEATHER DEPENDENT!!
JUSTIN PICCIRILLO’S sale and signing of his new book on the history of Hubbard Park both Saturday 4/29 and Sunday 4/30 from 11am to 4pm on the Midway.
MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC...
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
THE JEFF CROOM’S WELCOME STAGE
1:00
-
SUNDAY, APRIL 30
THE JEFF CROOMS
WELCOME STAGE
10:45 - 11:30 JEFF PRZECH WITH DENNIS FANCHER
12:00 - 12:45 A PALLET FOR THE SHOAL
1:15 2:00 SPARKLE AND FADE
2:30 - 3:30 BROTHER OTHER
4:00 - 5:00 BEPW
JAMES J BARRY BAND SHELL STAGE
RODGERS 1:30 - 2:30 EDDIE SEVILLE & STEEL RODEO 3:00 - 4:30 WON’T BACK DOWN TRIBUTE TO TOM PETTY 5:00 - 6:00 HANNAH’S FIELD 6:30 - 8:00 THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON EXPERIENCE JOBY ROGERS FOOD TENT STAGE 11:30 - 12:30 HOT CLUB OF BLACK ROCK 1:00 - 2:00 AUSTIN JAMES AND THE NOMADS 2:30 - 3:30 THE BARGAIN 4:00 - 5:00 MIGHTY SOUL DRIVERS 5:30 - 6:30 BERNADETTES 7:00 - 8:00 FUSTER CLUCK
11:30 - 12:30 RAMBLIN DAN STEVENS
1:00 - 2:00 JAKE KULAK AND THE MODERN VANDALS
2:30 - 3:30 SHADED SOUL
4:00 - 5:00 SMALL TOWN GAMBLERS
FOOD TENT STAGE
11:30 - 12:30 GOZA LATIN BAND
1:00 - 2:00 SETH ADAM
2:30 - 3:30 ORQUESTA AFINKE
4:00 - 5:00 THE BLUE RHYTHM BAND
THE 2023 MIDSTATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS & COMMUNITY EXPO
AT THE 43ND ANNUAL DAFFODIL FESTIVAL APRIL 29 - APRIL 30 UNDER THE EXPO TENT ON THE TENNIS COURTS - OPEN TO ALL DAFFODIL FESTIVAL VISITORS. Free Admission. HOURS: Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM & Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
CHILDREN’S SHOWS
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
SUNDAY, APRIL 30
SOLOMON GOFF HOUSE demonstration of 1700 living, both days from 11am to 4pm in Hubbard Park near the Skatehouse.
FREE: CASTLE CRAIG SHUTTLE will take you to the Castle at 1,000 feet above sea level both Saturday and Sunday. Please check Shuttle schedule upon arrival.
FREE: Round trip SHUTTLE BUS service from Platt High School and the Meriden Mall both Saturday and Sunday starting @ 8am.
Action Zone Stage
2:00 & 5:00PM
WHACKY CHAD STUNT COMEDIAN
12:00 & 3:00PM
DANIEL GREENWOLF CELTIC MAGICIAN
MIKE
STEIDLEY’S www.daffodilfest.com