Naloxone saving lives locally and across the country

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Naloxone, a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid and heroin overdoses, is carried on police and deputy vehicles, ambulances and fire engines, giving first responders the chance to save lives. The problem of these overdoses is so widespread most medics and ambulances have administered the medication dozens of times, even in South Lake Tahoe and the surrounding counties.

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist—meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids. It can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of overdosing with heroin or prescription opioid pain medications.

The most common brand, Narcan, is currently used by South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, Tahoe Douglas Fire, Douglas County and El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies and the CalTahoe ambulance staff and, as soon as training is completed, it will be carried onboard South Lake Tahoe police cars.

People will not be breathing after an overdose, and naloxone is the life-saving measure that brings them back.

At 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and East Fork Fire District were dispatched to an address in the Gardnerville Ranchos area for an unconscious female. A deputy arrived first and recognized the signs and symptoms of a possible opioid/heroin overdose. The deputy administered a dose of nasal naloxone (Narcan) to the unconscious female. She was revived and treated by paramedics and transported to the hospital.

This is not an uncommon occurrence with an epidemic of opioid and heroin abuse.

The South Tahoe Drug-Free Coalition was the recipient of funds to purchase Narcon and distribute it to local agencies and to qualifying members of the public. During a recent Barton Health community lecture, the coalition not only gave out supplies with the needed training but also informed the public of opioid addiction.

They also supplied the Warm Room with doses and an inquiry was made to have a dose available at local schools.

To administer the drug via a nasal mist is fairly easy, though users need to have an understanding of the medication and how it works and what to expect, especially for heroin overdoses. The box it comes in even has instructions. It also comes in an injection form for quick application to a person's thigh.

Patients who rely on a large number of prescriptions would also benefit from having Narcon on hand in case of an accidental overdose.

Not only can people receive the benefits of Narcan from first responders, but they can also visit local pharmacies and receive dose(s) either with a prescription or not. Some pharmacists can dispense, like those at CVS and Rite Aid. Raley's and Safeway have Narcon in stock, but a prescription is currently required. There is a big push to make the drug more available to the public.

Many insurance carriers now cover the purchase of Narcan, which can be upwards of $120-$150 per dose. The Food & Drug Administration just approved a generic distributor of Naloxone so prices could possibly drop in the near future.

For more information on the South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition, visit their Facebook page or website.