OD/Nalaxone Awareness
Each year, August 31st is observed as International Overdose Awareness Day, which is a global event set aside to raise awareness of overdoses.
With the rising number of opioid overdoses across the U.S., CPR and First Aid training classes are starting to incorporate the signs, symptoms, and treatment of overdoses related to morphine, fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone into their curriculum.
Opioid overdoses are dangerous because they can lead to cardiac arrest. It’s important to recognize when an opioid overdose is occurring, so that proper immediate intervention can take place.
International Overdose Awareness Day – August 31st
What does an opioid overdose look like? The overdosing person may be unresponsive and won’t wake up or respond to your voice or touch, have with pinpoint pupils where the center part of their eye is very small, their breathing may be very slow, shallow, or has even stopped, and there may evidence of drugs or residue around them.
In the case of opioid overdoses, one of today’s most common and practical interventions is the administration of the medication known as Naloxone.
What is Naloxone and how does it work?
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medicine that is available over the counter (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc.) and without a prescription. It is also available online, predominately on Amazon.com. When used immediately, the medication can work to rapidly reverse the effects of the opioid overdose. Generally speaking, once Narcan enters the victim’s system, in this case through their nostrils, it is absorbed and starts blocking the opioid receptors and helps to undo the damage of the overdose.
Narcan Nasal Spray is very easy to administer.
- Check for signs of an opioid overdose
- Call 9-1-1
- Give Narcan Nasal Spray – gently insert the tip of the nozzle into either nostril and press the red plunger firmly to give a dose of the nasal spray
- Additional doses of Narcan Nasal Spray can be given every 2-3 minutes, as available, until the person responds or emergency medical help arrives to take over.
Narcan Administration
Who should carry Narcan?
In 2018, United States Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, addressed the growing concern of opioid overdoses in a public health advisory. (reference: https://naloxonesaves.org/how-you-can-support/who-should-carry-naloxone/) In this advisory, he recommended certain at risk groups of people to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose as well as suggested they carry Narcan and know how to use it. This includes:
- Individuals taking high doses of opioids as prescribed for the management of chronic pain
- Individuals taking prescription opioids concurrently with alcohol or sedating medications (i.e. benzodiazepines)
- Individuals misusing prescription opioids or using illicit opioids such as heroin
- Individuals with a history of opioid use disorder
- Individuals completing opioid detoxification
- Individuals recently discharged from emergency medical care following an opioid overdose
- Individuals recently released from incarceration with a history of opioid use disorder
- Family and friends of people who have opioid use disorder
- Community members who come into contact with people at risk for opioid overdose
At Home Hazard Prevention, all of our CPR and First Aid classes include a more in depth training discussion on what to do in the event of an opioid overdose emergency. We also have Narcan trainers available for students to practice how to administer Narcan Nasal Spray when providing aid to a potential overdose victim.
Additional Resources
If you are a CPR Instructor, teacher, or other community leader, and would like to obtain free Narcan training aides, including free Narcan Nasal Spray trainers, please reach out to ADAPT Pharma/Emergent BioSolutions at [email protected].
For more information about Narcan or additional training videos and resources, visit www.narcan.com or www.beawarebeprepared.com.
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Home Hazard Prevention, located in Queen Creek, Arizona, specializes in CPR and First Aid training, AED Sales and Inspections, Fire Extinguisher Safety, Smoke Detector Maintenance, and Car Seat Safety throughout the Phoenix Metro area. (480) 448-0266 or [email protected]
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