Narcan Awareness
Narcan is a medication that can be administered to people who have overdosed on drugs. Narcan is the brand name, and the medication’s generic name is naloxone. Many people probably think that Narcan would not be an essential item to carry with them. However, accidental overdoses happen more often than we think. In 2020, unintentional overdoses accounted for 388 workplace deaths. Even though drug overdoses are not a problem within our immediate area, accidental drug overdose can occur at any time. Many of our community members travel throughout the country to larger cities, and knowing the signs of drug overdose can help save others’ lives.
The signs of a drug overdose include unconsciousness, very small pupils, slow or shallow breathing, vomiting, an inability to speak, faint heartbeat, limp arms and legs, pale skin, purple lips and fingernails. Narcan cannot cause any further damage if used even when the victim is not suffering from drug overdose.
Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Narcan Nasal Spray can help save others’ lives by reversing the effects of an opioid emergency. Emergency medical service units average 12.7 minutes from the time of a 911 call to arrival on the scene. During an opioid emergency, it can only take 4 minutes for brain damage to occur after someone stops breathing, and death can result in another 4 to 6 minutes. Narcan Nasal Spray can reverse the effects of an opioid emergency by restoring breathing while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.
To administer Narcan, make sure the person is unresponsive. Lay the person on the floor, and hold the nasal spray device with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger. Insert the nozzle into either nostril. Press the plunger firmly to give the first dose. Call 911 immediately after giving the 1st dose. Wait two to three minutes after the first dose, and if the person does not wake up, continue to give doses every two to three minutes in separate nostrils until the person wakes up. Stay until the ambulance arrives and give another dose if the person becomes very sleepy again.
If you would like to receive Narcan, you can buy Narcan online or from a pharmacy. Through the state of Nebraska, Nebraskans can receive Narcan for free from participating pharmacies.