How to Save a Life with Narcan

Narcan, the world’s first life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication approved for over-the-counter purchase, is now being distributed throughout big-box retail chains in America at highly promising rates. Outlets like Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Rite Aid have recently obtained Narcan in all their stores and it is now much more easily accessible to communities nationwide. Yet, even with all this life-saving potential, many remain unaware of Narcan’s existence. A recent NPR-IBM Watson Health Poll that surveyed 3,000 American families revealed that 41% of respondents had never heard of Narcan. The fact of the matter is that, even while America’s opioid epidemic has been in the headlines of the media for years now, an underwhelming proportion of our citizens are aware of this crucial method of overdose reversal. Several hundreds of thousands of people have fallen as victims to this crisis since 2020, many of whom have lost their lives due to accidental overdose by mistakenly taking just one pill laced with fentanyl. You never know what situation you might find yourself in in the future, and when bestowed with this opportunity to get Narcan, it is imperative to prioritize precaution. One small acquisition at a local retail store can truly save a life.

Here’s how it works: Narcan is a nasal spray that conveniently squirts naloxone directly up one’s nostril. The naloxone instantly works to block an opioid’s effects on the brain, rescuing a person who overdosed on opiates like fentanyl, heroin, or oxycodone. Something compelling about Narcan is that it has no side effects, making improper use inconsequential. The bottom line is that it is safer to use Narcan even if you have the slightest suspicion that somebody has overdosed. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to identify an overdosed individual, the key indicator is if their breathing is slowed or stopped and they cannot be awakened or are unable to speak. Once the overdosed individual is identified, you must insert the spray tip into the patient’s nostril and depress the plunger. Each Narcan kit comes with two sprays, and sometimes the first dose may be insufficient, making a second dose necessary to save the overdosed person.

Narcan has already saved at least 60,000 lives and with your awareness of this topic, maybe you can be the one to save the next life in need.