JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Florida man who travels the state teaching civilians how to respond to and treat people overdosing on opioids will teach classes on the First Coast this week.
Luis Garcia spent nearly three decades as a paramedic. First Coast News spoke with him from his Southeast Florida home ahead of his trip to Jacksonville and St. Augustine.
“At this point, the opioid epidemic is affecting everybody,” Garcia said. “Time is of the essence when somebody has an overdose.”
After he retired as a paramedic, Garcia began teaching classes on how to administer the life-saving overdose reversal drug, Narcan. The class is free and Garcia provides Narcan for free to qualifying participants.
“The reality is unless somebody is living right next to the fire station or has a police car right outside and the policeman has Narcan, people are going to continue to die simply because rescuers cannot get there in time,” Garcia said.
Garcia estimated he has spent $50,000 of his own money on Narcan to give away for free. He has set up a GoFundMe account to buy more to distribute.
Garcia warned the opioid epidemic knows no boundaries, and the chance to save a life could be closer than you think. Additionally, he said Narcan is key to solving the opioid crisis because people who pass away never get the chance to recover from addiction.
“[Overdoses happen at] gas stations, McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Publix, Walmart, Dunkin Donuts…people are dying in vehicles and restrooms of businesses,” he said. “They’re dying right around us during our normal, everyday living of the week.”
You can attend the overdose response classes at:
Highlands Baptist Church: Thursday 11/15 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Trinity Baptist Church: Thursday 11/15 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Shiloh Baptist St Augustine: Friday 11/16 at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
*If you want to receive free Narcan you must call Garcia at 954-859-4696 before the class. If you simply want to attend the class you can RSVP on the Facebook page.