We don’t often think about how we would respond to a life-or-death situation until we’re faced with one. But imagine you’re walking down the street, in a coffee shop, or even at a family gathering, and someone nearby collapses. They’re not breathing properly, their lips are turning blue, their pupils are unusually small, and you suspect they may be overdosing on opioids. What would you do?
Many people will say, “Call 911.” Although this isn’t the wrong answer, you should absolutely call 911, there’s another action you can take to buy the person overdosing some time (and possibly even save their life) while waiting on emergency services to arrive. This action involves administering naloxone (Narcan).
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone (often known by the brand name Narcan) is a medication that quickly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by blocking the opioid receptors in the brain, essentially kicking the opioids off those receptors and giving the person a chance to start breathing again until help arrives.[1]
Naloxone comes in two main forms: a nasal spray and an injectable version. Most people carry the nasal spray because it’s easy to use, even if you’ve never had medical training.
Naloxone is something everyone should carry. Here are 7 reasons why.
7 Reasons to Carry Naloxone
1. Overdoses Can Happen Anywhere
In recent years, opioid overdoses have become a public health crisis in communities across the country. Overdoses can happen anywhere–public restrooms, parks, grocery store parking lots, workplaces, schools, and even in your own home.
The truth is, overdose is more common than most people think, and it can happen to someone you know or a stranger you cross paths with. Regardless of the situation, having naloxone on hand gives you the ability to act quickly and potentially save someone’s life.
2. It’s Safe, Easy to Use, and Not Addictive
One of the best things about naloxone is how easy it is to administer. If you’ve ever used a nasal spray for allergies, you can administer naloxone.
The nasal spray version involves tilting the person’s head back and spraying the medication into their nostril. That’s it! There’s no special training needed, although many community organizations do offer quick classes if you want to be extra prepared or suspect you may have to use it frequently.
Not only that, but the medication doesn’t produce any adverse side effects if it’s given to someone who hasn’t taken opioids. Naloxone only works on opioids, and it doesn’t have any effect on someone who doesn’t have opioids in their system. It doesn’t cause mood- or mind-altering effects or get you high; it simply blocks the effects of opioids in the system.
3. It’s Safe for Kids
Kids can accidentally ingest prescription opioids, either by mistake or while exploring cabinets and drawers. Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are also increasingly being found in non-opioid drugs and counterfeit pills, making the risk of overdose even greater.
Thankfully, naloxone is safe to use on children in an emergency. In fact, it’s safe for everyone of all ages, including infants and the elderly.[2] If a child is unresponsive and an opioid overdose is suspected, using naloxone could be the difference between life and death.
4. You Can Buy Naloxone Over the Counter Now
In Spring 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan 4mg for over-the-counter use.[3] As a result, naloxone is now available in many pharmacies, like CVS and Walgreens, and even retail stores like Target, without a prescription. You don’t have to speak to a pharmacist, either. Just walk in, grab it off the shelf, and pay at the counter.
You can even order naloxone on Amazon and have it delivered to your door the next day!
Additionally, many cities have resources where residents can obtain naloxone free through community organizations, health departments, or harm reduction programs.
5. Narcan Isn’t Just for People Who Use Opioids
When you think of who uses naloxone, you probably picture someone living with substance use disorder. However, it isn’t just for people who use drugs—it’s also for the child who picked up something off the ground that they shouldn’t have or for the teenager who thinks they’re experimenting with something else, like MDMA.
Accidental overdoses can also happen when people take medications that were prescribed to someone else or when drugs are unknowingly laced with powerful opioids like fentanyl.
There’s no harm in having it, and you never know when you’ll need it.
6. Carrying Naloxone Helps Fight the Stigma
Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of stigma around drug use. Some people think carrying naloxone encourages drug use, but the reality is, substance use disorder is a medical condition, not a moral failure. Not only that, but people who use drugs are people, too, and they deserve a chance to be saved so they can have an opportunity to get into recovery.
By carrying naloxone, you send a clear message: that every life is worth saving, and that having compassion matters more than judgment does. The more people who carry naloxone openly and confidently, the more we normalize its use and encourage others to do the same thing.
7. You Could Save a Life
While it may sound dramatic, it’s true: naloxone saves lives each and every day. When someone overdoses on opioids, their breathing slows or even stops completely. Death can happen in minutes. Naloxone can reverse the overdose by restoring breathing and giving the person a chance to survive until emergency services arrive.
At the end of the day, this is the most important reason to carry naloxone. If someone near you overdoses, you might be the only one who is prepared to help. You might not need it every day, but if the moment comes, having it on you can mean the difference between life and death for yourself, a stranger, or someone you love.
How to Get Naloxone and Training For Your Home
If you or someone you love uses drugs, it may be a good idea to receive naloxone training so you’re fully prepared. Training takes approximately 20 minutes and can be obtained at https://www.getnaloxonenow.org/#gettraining.
If you’d like to do your part in fighting the opioid epidemic, you can get free naloxone or fentanyl test strips at https://vitalalabama.com/resources/find-help/free-naloxone-and-fentanyl-test-strips/. You can also purchase naloxone at your local pharmacy or online for about $40-45.
Want Narcan At Your Business?
For business owners who want to keep Narcan at their business, the Addiction Prevention Coalition would be happy to help. As an official distributor for the State of Alabama, we can provide and deliver your ONEbox at no cost, along with any training your team may need. ONEbox is an emergency opioid overdose reversal kit that includes on-demand training. Learn more by visiting https://apcbham.org/onebox/.
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