Who Answers?
By now, most people have heard about the opioid crisis that still looms across America and many other countries. We know it has caused an alarming number of deaths due to overdose, but a recent survey illustrates that many of us have no clue how to help someone experiencing a drug overdose.
According to the report, around 77% of the people surveyed admitted they wouldn’t know what to do or how to respond if they saw someone overdose. That amounts to more than 3 out of every four people.
Drug overdose deaths have increased over the last two decades and are steadily climbing. The latest reports show about 293 people dying in the United States from drug overdoses every day.
Why is it that so many people aren’t sure how to handle or at least help someone experiencing an overdose? For some, it seems the necessary resources are either unavailable or unknown.
At this time, there are two FDA-approved medications available that can reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone, which is known as Narcan and Opvee, are simple, easy-to-use nasal sprays that can quickly block the opioid effects on the body and the brain. Still, many people report being uncomfortable or nervous administering these life-saving drugs.
Knowledge is power, and some people may not understand how easy it can be to save a life. Naloxone is available without a prescription and easily obtained over the counter for free with many programs. Some communities offer classes regarding using Narcan to make it more convenient and comfortable to administer. There is no disputing that these drugs can help overdose victims, so providing access to them with the skills to use them appropriately may be the turning point to more people feeling confident and more lives saved.
