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MyNKA Projects

Naloxone Training & Dispensing​

Substance Use, Misuse and Abuse Prevention Education

GOAL: Provide information.

Ensure that the community (parents, caregivers, adolescents, educators, community leaders) understands the gravity of drug abuse through consistent placement of this problem and its outcomes in the community’s radar. Target population: Everyone (teens, parents, law enforcement officers, health care professionals, educators, youth service professionals, businesses)
Activities Include:
➔ Educational presentations, Workshops or seminars: targeted outreach to teens and parents; resenting at meetings, community events, and health fairs ➔ Community walk/run: active participation in community events ➔ Public service announcements (PSA): produce and disseminate PSA for radio, print, TV, and social media ➔ Brochures/Flyers: regularly post flyers/posters in stores, schools, malls, libraries, and places of worship ➔ Billboard campaigns: gain support from private sector to ensure placement in key areas ➔ Parenting classes: targeted outreach for parents ➔ Web-based communication: virtual educational sessions

Youth Taking Action Against Drugs, YTAAD

GOAL: Enhance and Reinforce Positive Skills among Youth

Build positive social and decision making capabilities among adolescents and college students. Make teens part of the solution to a growing problem in order to influence the behavior of their peers through their actions. TARGET POPULATION: Youth, educators, health care professionals.
Activities Include:
➔ Youth clubs: link with national youth programs that have local affiliates such as Elks Kid Zone ➔ Training: collaborate with healthcare partners to provide skill building on how to educate teens ➔ distance learning for parents, caregivers and healthcare professionals ➔ strategic planning retreats ➔ model programs in school: PSA announcements, competitions (essay, poster art, video contest), drug abuse prevention modules – involve youth in creating videos about the dangers of drug abuse; promote them widely on social media sites; conduct poster and video competitions and campaigns; provide rewards and recognition for all contest entrants and winners ➔ Drug-free lifestyle pledge for youth, coaches, and teachers: remote incentives for youths, coaches, teachers who sign pledge (mugs, t-shirts, coupons)

Youth taking action - Smarter Choices

Mentoring, Referrals and Support Groups, MRS

GOAL: Provide Support

Reduce risk or enhance protection against substance abuse and addiction through strategies designed to stop drug abuse before it starts, identify and intervene early. Target Population: Teens, parents and caregivers, counselors, coaches, youth leaders, community leaders
Activities Include:
➔ Youth support groups: encourage youth to provide support to other youth through group meetings and other community events ➔ Mentoring peer groups: provide support for at-risk youths to work towards their own goals; partner with community leaders to act as mentors to at-risk youths; provide counseling and motivational speaking to older youths; help reduce stigma behind addiction and recovery ➔ Recovery programs: Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous ➔ Referral services: establish relationships with treatment programs that address teen drug abuse and identify concrete strategies on how to work together

Medication Take-Back Events, MTE

GOAL: Change Access, Barriers and Physical design

Improve systems and processes to increase access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services; change physical design through use of lock boxes and the integration of take-back events. Target Population: general public, retail stores, health care professionals, businesses
Activities Include:
➔ Prescription drug disposal take-back program: provide information to consumers about safe disposal of medications when take-back programs are not available ➔ Pharmacy drug take back initiatives: posting and disseminating prevention guidelines and proper disposal methods at pharmacies, businesses, libraires, and recreation centers ➔ Publicity: Create and disseminate Flyers, posters, banners, billboards, bus ads, bus stop ads to promote take-back events in different languages ➔ Distribute free lock boxes to prevent diversion ➔ “Lock Your Meds” Campaign: distribute free medication lock-boxes to individuals at community events

Medication take back event

@mynkausa.org #GradeUpWithGrammarly #safetydrugdisposal #opioidawareness ♬ Summer day – TimTaj

Naloxone Training & Dispensing

Naloxone Training & Dispensing Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution

When people experience an opioid overdose, you can restore their breathing and save their life by giving naloxone. Naloxone is a prescription medicine that is used to treat opioid overdoses; it safely and effectively reverses an opioid overdose. You can get it from us without a prescription.  

Fentanyl Test Strips

Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. FTS are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables). FTS provide people who use drugs and communities with important information about fentanyl in the illicit drug supply so they can take steps to reduce risk of overdose.  

Symptoms Of An Overdose

An overdose happens when someone takes too much of an opioid. How much is “too much” depends on the person and can change overtime. Signs of an opioid overdose include:
  • Loud snoring
  • Pale/grayish skin
  • A very limp body
  • Slow or stopped heartbeat
  • Lips or fingers turing blue
  • Unresponsiveness
  • Shallow, slow, or stopped breathing

Lower Your Risk Of Overdose

  • Keep naloxone readily available on you and at home. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about being prescribed naloxone (e.g., Narcan) if you or someone you know is at risk for an overdose. You can also check with your local health department or community-based organization to see if they distribute naloxone at no cost.
  • Avoid mixing drugs. Mixing multiple stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine, depressants like opioids and alcohol, or a combination of both can cause harm and potentially death.6
  • Don’t rely on a previous source or experience. Knowing where your drugs come from doesn’t mean they’re safe. And even if you have used drugs before, your body could react differently every time.
  • Never use drugs alone. Make sure the people around you are aware when you have taken drugs in case they need to give you naloxone or call for emergency assistance.
  • Ask for help if you’re ready to get treatment for your addiction. Recovery from substance use disorders is possible—it’s okay to ask for help. You can find evidence-based treatment and service options near you by visiting findtreatment.gov or by calling the 24/7, National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).

Naloxone Training

Naloxone is simple to use; almost anyone can administer it and prevent an overdose. Learn more by viewing the instructional video below: https://youtu.be/uAdkLsxAJyo

How To Use Fentanyl Test Strips

Fentanyl test strips are also easy to use. View demonstration in the videos below: https://youtu.be/-ngMXiNc6k4 https://youtu.be/YrZ6KGsjIJM

Where To Get Naloxone /fentanyl Test Strips

Call or Email us to get naloxone and/or fentanyl test strips. MyNKA USA is an authorized Overdose Response Program approved by the Maryland Department of Health authorized to provide overdose education and distribute naloxone in the community. We will teach you how to use fentanyl test strips, recognize an opioid overdose and administer naloxone.