Relief from The Opioid Pandemic

Drug overdoses: A heavy topic that has been increasingly relevant as death rates within recent years have reached new heights. According to the NIH's National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there were over 106,000 deaths in the United States in 2021 from drug-involved overdoses. Yet so many lives could be saved with one simple tool that requires minimal training: naloxone (Narcan). I recently received my Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, and during that course, I was taught how to administer Narcan, among other drug overdose and toxic substance treatments. Narcan is highly effective and reverses 93% of opioid overdoses. During my training, I realized that the path to improving the opioid crisis is a combination of the knowledge I received through the WFR training and addressing the stigma associated with addiction and drug overdose.

In King County, Washington, there were 22 youths, age 19 or younger, who died of opioid overdoses in 2021, which is more than double the 2019 rate. The significant increases in overdose deaths can be linked to synthetic opioids, particularly those containing illicitly manufactured fentanyl. The market for illicit fentanyl continues to change, and it can be found in combination with heroin, counterfeit pills, and cocaine. Unfortunately, in King County public schools, only nurses and security guards are mandated to be trained to use Narcan, and many schools lack full-time nurses or security staff. A group of parents are pushing Seattle Public Schools to require training for all school staff to administer Narcan. However, I believe it is crucial for the whole school community, including students, to learn the easy and straightforward steps to administering Narcan. 

The challenges of educating others more broadly about the lifesaving ability of Narcan can stem from resistance in some parts of the community who do not want to talk about drug addiction and overdose. Education on the use of Narcan is naturally linked to a discussion about drug usage, addiction, and overdose. As students, we need to advocate for the community and make sure that the reality of the drug epidemic is front and center with local politicians. Local politicians need to demonstrate their leadership by creating an environment in which their jurisdictions can discuss drug usage and addiction openly and respectfully. This will enable more knowledge to be shared about what to do in the event of an overdose, which will directly contribute to saving lives within our community.

Getting past the stigma around Narcan will help ensure that it can be administered quickly and immediately after someone is found with a potential overdose. Let's talk a little bit about what an opioid overdose looks like. Symptoms could include respiratory arrest, hypoventilation, a limp body, and a coma. Administering Narcan quickly is crucial because, for many people, their condition will deteriorate quickly and become challenging to stabilize if the overdose is not treated soon, which can ultimately lead to death. Even if you are not 100% certain that the patient has an opioid overdose, do not be afraid to give Narcan. Narcan will have little to no effect on someone who is not experiencing an overdose.

In order to advocate for Narcan availability, it is important to learn a little more about it. Narcan is used in people of all ages if an opioid overdose happens or has possibly happened. Narcan comes as a nasal spray; each device contains one 4 mg dose. Narcan treats opioid overdoses by blocking specific receptors in the body that opioids bind to. Blocking these receptors helps reverse symptoms of opioid overdoses. In 2014, only 12 states permitted EMS to administer Narcan for overdose. Today, all states allow the drug to be administered by anyone, which means that you can save a life without any medical experience, training, or certification. A study by the NIDA found that bystanders were present in more than 30% of overdoses involving opioids. In March 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Narcan for OTC use. This means Narcan is available without a prescription, and you can purchase it at most pharmacies for under $50 for a pack of two. Now that you can carry and buy naloxone, you can give it to someone experiencing an overdose and potentially save a life. 

With the need for a fast response, especially as the potency of opioids increases, it is essential for Narcan to be readily available in schools. However, in Washington, only high schools with over 2,000 students are required to have Narcan on hand. While the Biden administration has called on schools to stock Narcan, they are not required to do so. As students, we need to advocate for our safety as well as the safety of others within our community against drug overdoses. That means we must advocate that our leaders shine a light on this issue and bring drug usage and overdose out of the shadows. Furthermore, we must advocate for Narcan to be stocked at local schools and spread awareness to everyone on how to administer Narcan.

There are some free resources available that you can take advantage of, such as the CDC. They have a page dedicated to naloxone called “Lifesaving Naloxone.” This page has short videos and detailed descriptions of why, how, and who can administer it, and free training can also be found at the Get Naloxone Now organization. 

The opioid pandemic has become a significant public health crisis in the United States, and the increasing number of deaths due to drug overdose is alarming. The availability of Narcan and the knowledge of how to administer it will save lives. It is essential to address the stigma associated with addiction and drug overdose and educate the community on the use of Narcan. Advocating for the availability of Narcan in schools and spreading awareness can contribute to saving lives within our community. Let's work together to drive change and save lives.