FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – South Florida Spring Breakers were greeted by sunshine and doses of Narcan, a party favor of sorts, creating an “army of first responders.”
“We’ve put 5,000 doses of Narcan into spring breakers hands,” said Dr. Thomas Smith, the Director of Behavioral Health Services at CARE Resource.
Workers with CARE’s outreach team spent Tuesday navigating the busy beach party scene, handing out lanyards adorned with Narcan.
Narcan spray swiftly reverses the effects of opioid overdoses, a tragedy that often happens entirely by mistake.
“If they say, ‘No, I don’t do drugs,’ we say, ‘OK, but you’ll be at parties, right? Maybe you can be the person who saves someone else’s life,’” he said.
The organization, which offers a variety of health services including HIV and syringe Exchanges, has documented hundreds of self-reported cases where Narcan they distributed saved someone’s life.
“Using drugs today is playing Russian roulette with a revolver that has 3 bullets instead of one,” said outreach manager, Emy Martinez.
She recounted the initiative’s expansion in 2022 after seven spring breakers overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine in Wilton Manors, including West Point cadets.
First responders reported 3 of those affected individuals were merely trying to assist when they were inadvertently exposed to the potent drug, which is now being mixed into almost every known substance, from Adderall to marijuana.
“Adderall, Percocet, most of the Molley’s and ecstasies — anything you buy on the streets,” said Martinez.
With spring break in full swing, hotels sold out, and Airbnbs fully booked, the group aims to reach these large gatherings to continue saving lives.
“Last year, there were more than 100,000 overdoses in the United States. The more we get out there, the more it saves lives,” said Smith.
The outreach team’s dedication underscores the gravity of the opioid crisis and the crucial role education and access to life-saving resources play in mitigating its impact.
For more information on various health services offered or how you can help be part of the solution, please visit:
Careresource.org or Thespotbroward.org
IG: @thespotbroward