MATBUS to have Narcan kits added to their vehicles

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Soon, a life-saving resource will be placed on MATBUSES in partnership with Fargo Cass Public Health. That would be Narcan, a type of medication that reverses an opioid overdose.

FCPH has supplied MATBUS with 75 Narcan kits.

“Having that tool available to all of the drivers is extremely beneficial.” said Cole Swingen, the assistant transit director of operations for City of Fargo/MATBUS.

‘What is really exciting about this is we are bringing it to the buses before they have an opioid overdose.” said Robyn Litke Sall, the prevention coordinator at FCPH.

65 MATBUS drivers and support staff have gone through training to properly administer the medicine and respond to an opioid overdose. According to Public Health, MATBUS wanted to get this initiative going to be proactive and have the resources available to help in a life or death situation.

“Honestly, just to be able to protect the community. We see issues of overdosing happening pretty frequently nowadays unfortunately. Just being able to have something that can potentially save somebody’s life is something that is very meaningful to us.” said Swingen.

In the meantime, Swingen says there is Narcan at the Ground Transportation Center in downtown Fargo. It is also an important reminder that opioid overdose can impact any of us.

“When we have 39 people that die in Cass County a year as a result of opioid overdose, just think how many people that impacts.” said Litke Sall.

MATBUS plans to have the Narcan kits rollout by the end of the year.