MINOT, ND (KXNET) — Between 2019 and 2023 overdose deaths rose roughly 48% in North Dakota. While that number has continued to decrease, the director of Health Promotions at First District Health Unit in Minot, Jen Clark, says that it's their job to continue to educate people on this issue. "Our main role is to educate, to provide Narcan at no cost to community members. We have Narcan trainings, we also have in-person and if they aren't able to attend in person, you can go to our website and do a Narcan training online," Clark said. Public Health nurse, Rebecca Coffin, says that there are often many misconceptions on how to properly use Narcan. "Common mistakes that people make when administering Narcan is yes, it is a nasal spray, but this isn't like an allergy nasal spray, you don't prime it, so as soon as you push that button that's your dose," added Coffin. While opioid overdose is often seen as a stigma that only happens to a certain group of people, Clark says that drug overdoses can happen to anyone. "Common misconceptions of overdose deaths is a lot of it is related around stigma. Thinking that only certain people are prone to an overdose. That only certain people that live certain lifestyles are affected by it which is not the case at all. It affects all people in all walks of life," Clark noted. Coffin says that The Good Samaritan Law is important to know if you ever find yourself in an overdose situation. "The Good Samaritan Law is something really great for pretty much anybody. If you're a bystander, you don't necessarily have to be medically trained, it protects you when you are helping someone. So to be immune from prosecution, you need to call 911, remain on sight until the help arrives, and then you have to cooperate with law enforcement and emergency medical personnel," concluded Coffin. For a demonstration of how to use these life-saving measures visit this website. And here's a statement from the Minot Police Department on overdoses in the area: "Our officers will continue to not only respond and provide life-saving measures in these medical emergencies, but we will continue to try and connect those in need with addiction services. We do this while remaining dedicated and diligent in building criminal cases against those that distribute these dangerous drugs in our community." Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW