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Funeral directors are called "last responders" to the opioid epidemic. The problem is that employees could come into contact with opioids on the body of a deceased person or on the clothes of a dying person.
BALTIMORE (AP) – Maryland funeral directors are increasingly worried that their employees will be exposed to opioids. That's why some people stock naloxone, the drug that reverses the effects of an overdose.
The Baltimore Sun reported Friday that funeral directors call themselves the "last responders" to the opioid epidemic. The problem is that employees could come into contact with opioids on the body of a deceased person or on the clothes of a dying person.
Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanyl can be deadly, even in amounts as small as a grain of salt when inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
The National Association of Funeral Directors recommends members to prepare for the possibility that someone may be suffering from an exposure. The association said members should recognize symptoms of overdose and train staff to administer naloxone.
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Information provided by: The Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com
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