OKEECHOBEE — Retired firefighter Luis Garcia is scheduled to teach a Narcan training course to Okeechobee Department of Health employees on Oct. 21 from 9-10:30 a.m. Upon completion of the class, each particiapant will be qualified to carry and use Narcan to save the life of another. In addition, they will inititate widespread public distribution.

Garcia's presentation is entitled, "Narcan: Science, Myths and Implications for the Opioid Pandemic."

 "The first words out of most people’s mouths when they hear about Narcan training for opioid overdose are usually something like, 'I’m not a druggie. I don’t need that.' But in reality, an opioid overdose can affect almost anyone who goes out in public," said Luis Garcia, a retired firefighter/paramedic from Boynton Beach who, in 2017,  began traveling around Florida educating the public about those dangers and explaining how Narcan, an inexpensive and easy-to-use drug, can save lives.

Garcia explained Narcan has been around for over 50 years, but it has only been in the last few years that it has been essentially over-the-counter and more easily accessible to the public. Pharmacies have standing medical order for it, and anyone can get it, although he did say sometimes they give you a hard time about it.

In 2019, Garcia partnered with the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office to bring his training classes to Okeechobee, where he announced to attendees, “You’re gonna save lives!”

Garcia has been to Okeechobee several times since, partnering with various agencies.

If you would like to arrange for him to visit your group, please contact him at 954-859-4696.