TN Save a Life Training
The TN Save a Life program is designed to increase awareness across Tennessee on the dangers of opioids and stimulants, and the available resources for overdose prevention. Training is provided to anyone in Tennessee at no charge through Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS) who reach all 95 counties. ROPS provide training to individuals and groups on substance misuse in Tennessee, the brain science of addiction, and how to recognize and respond to an overdose, including how to use the life-saving drug naloxone. Information is also presented on how to get naloxone. This training certifies an individual under the Tennessee Good Samaritan Law. This program provides naloxone to eligible individuals as designated by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
ASAP of Anderson is responsible for providing TN Save a Life Training at no charge for individuals and groups in the following Tennessee counties:
Trainings in these counties are conducted by ROPS Kristi McCaleb. If you are located in one of these counties and interested in training, please Contact Us to get information on getting an individual or group training. Questions? Contact Kristi McCaleb at kristi@asapofanderson.org.
If you are located in a different county in the region, review the map below to find your local R.O.P.S.
TN Save a Life Training is provided through a grant from the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. To learn more, please read the program statement.
About Naloxone
Naloxone (or NarcanTM) is a proven tool in the battle against drug misuse and overdose death. When too much of an opioid medication is taken, it can slow breathing to a dangerously low rate. When breathing slows too much, overdose death can occur. Naloxone can reverse this potentially fatal situation by allowing the person to breathe normally again temporarily (30-90 minutes). An individual can fall back into an overdose situation after that time if they have a long-acting medication or substance in their system. Naloxone is not a “cure” but is only intended to provide time for emergency medical services to arrive. Naloxone is not a dangerous medicine. However, proper training is required by law. Any time an overdose is suspected, first responders should be notified by calling 911 immediately and stay with the patient until first responders arrive. It is important to know that some patients may awake disoriented or agitated after receiving naloxone. This is a good sign, but calling 911 is still very important to help the person survive.
Community Resources for Naloxone
In Tennessee, anyone may obtain Naloxone directly from a pharmacist without a physician’s prescription.
- Most insurance programs cover the cost or offer a co-pay option.
- Cost ranges from $0 to $150 (depending on insurance provider)
- Low/no co-pay is offered for most individuals with TennCare
- If you are uninsured, you may qualify for CoverRx, which is a program that helps with prescription medications, including naloxone.
Most major retail pharmacies (e.g., CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid) have naloxone available as well as some local/community pharmacies.
About the Good Samaritan Law
The Tennessee Good Samaritan Law (naloxone distribution) was enacted in 2014, and Tennessee was the 18th state to pass and support this civil immunity law which permits the prescribing and dispensing of naloxone to any at-risk persons, their family members, or friends, and allows them to administer it to a person believed to be experiencing an opioid overdose. The legislation requires these individuals to receive basic instruction – including taking a quiz and printing a certificate.
Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS)
Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS) are located throughout the state of Tennessee as a point of contact for training and education on opioid overdose and for overdose prevention through the distribution of naloxone. Learn more at https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/prevention/rops.html.
