The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) grant awarded to Covington County Hospital is helping expand opioid overdose prevention efforts across the community.
Michael Kelly, Project Specialist with the Mississippi Public Health Institute’s Office of Substance Use, Prevention, and Control, spoke to Covington County bus drivers at Carver Middle School last Friday about practical ways to reduce overdose deaths. Each driver received a Naloxone kit to keep on their bus.
Kelly oversees the CDC-funded OD2A (Overdose Data to Action) program, which uses EMS data to identify overdose spikes and partner with communities to implement targeted, life-saving interventions. Through this initiative, resources such as Naloxone are distributed to strengthen rapid response efforts.
From January through March 2026, Mississippi reported 741 overdoses, including 10 deaths—one of which occurred in Covington County.
During the session, Kelly provided hands-on training on administering Naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. He demonstrated how to place the applicator in the nose, press the red button, and wait several minutes before giving a second dose if symptoms persist, such as slowed or stopped breathing or decreased consciousness. He stressed the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately. Kelly also noted that individuals may vomit as they regain consciousness and encouraged keeping the used applicator to show responding paramedics.
Naloxone remains effective for approximately two hours and is a safe, life-saving medication that cannot cause harm when administered. It is available free of charge through grant-funded programs.
“We’re grateful to support education and prevention efforts like this in our community,” said Todd Jones, CCH’s EMS Director. “Training bus drivers and other frontline community members to recognize an overdose and administer Naloxone can make a critical difference in saving lives before EMS arrives.”
CCH Ambulance Service remains committed to providing education that promotes public safety, increases awareness, and strengthens emergency response across the community. Overdose prevention is a shared responsibility, and partnerships with organizations like the Mississippi Public Health Institute enhance the ability to respond quickly and effectively. Through education, collaboration, and prevention, communities can reduce overdose deaths and save lives.
Pictured (l to r): Todd Jones, CCH EMS Director; Michael Kelly, Project Specialist with the Mississippi Public Health Institute’s Office of Substance Use, Prevention, and Control; and Josh Blackwell, EMS Operations Manager.
