Reducing Overdose Deaths: A Life-Saving Treatment
During the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid overdose deaths have reached an all-time high in the United States, according to a CDC report. While experiencing an overdose, giving the drug Naloxone (the generic name for Narcan®) can prevent death by inhibiting the effects of opioids. In addition to being administered by first responders, this safe medication can also be given by friends, family, or other bystanders. In fact, the distribution of Naloxone among non-professionals is expected to reduce overdose deaths by up to 21%. If you are a person who is at risk of an opioid overdose, or you know someone who is, Naloxone may be lifesaving. It can be accessed in most states and many local community organizations hold no or low-cost trainings on how to use it.
To identify Naloxone training sites, search online by typing your county name + naloxone in your search engine or check your state department of health website.
References
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017, March 30). Naloxone for opioid overdose: Life-saving science. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/naloxone-opioid-overdose-life-saving-science
Townsend, T., et al. (2020). Cost-effectiveness analysis of alternative naloxone distribution strategies: First responder and lay distribution in the United States.International Journal of Drug Policy, 75, 102536. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.07.031
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