St. Cloud VA Hosts Overdose Prevention Summit Ahead of International Awareness Day

Originally published 12:18 p.m. August 11th, 2025

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud VA will host a free overdose prevention event in preparation for International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st.

The all-day education summit targets veterans, caregivers, and family members. The slate of events includes learning how to use Narcan, receiving fentanyl test strips, and learning how to look for the warning signs of an overdose. Registered Nurse Marcia Lindbergh explains to KNSI to use “what we call the C-L-L-T method. The ‘C’ is to check for sleepy, heavy nodding, deep sleep, or if they’re hard to wake, like you shake them, and you can’t get them to rouse. ‘Listen’ would be the ‘L’—[listen for] slow, shallow breathing, and snoring, gurgling, or choking sounds.” The other “L” stands for “look.” Check for bluish or grayish lips, fingernails, and skin. Then, “T” is for “touching,” which involves checking for clammy, sweaty skin. If anyone sees any of these symptoms, Lindbergh says to call 911.

The event is on Wednesday, August 27th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the St. Cloud VA.

According to medical staff at the VA, the training comes at a critical time because families are being torn apart by the crisis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 83,140 people lost their lives due to drug overdoses in 2024. Lindbergh adds that data shows more than two-thirds of those deaths involved fentanyl or opioids, usually mixed with other illegal drugs.

Beyond the risks from street drugs, Lindbergh stressed that even medicine from doctors can be hazardous. She explained that issues with most prescription drugs arise from accidentally mixing medications (causing an unexpected reaction) or because the medicine’s effects are amplified by alcohol.

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