Vaccines are safe, highly effective, and they work by training your immune system to respond to disease. This post breaks down why measles cases dropped dramatically after vaccination and why hepatitis B prevention matters—especially for kids—so you can make informed choices.
Narcan Can Save a Life — Here’s What to Know
By Atracare | Supporting Harm Reduction Across the Delaware Beaches
In moments of crisis, seconds matter—and Narcan® (naloxone) is a medication that can make those seconds count.
Whether it’s heroin, fentanyl, or prescription opioids, an overdose can stop a person’s breathing in minutes. Naloxone is a proven tool that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and restore normal breathing.
At Atracare, we believe that everyone should know how to use naloxone and where to get it. It’s easy to carry, safe to use, and it’s saving lives—right here in our Delaware community.
What Is Naloxone?
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors and reverses the effects of drugs like heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. If a person’s breathing has slowed or stopped due to opioids, naloxone can quickly restore it—often within 2 to 3 minutes.
It works on overdoses caused by:
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
- Oxycodone (OxyContin®)
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Hydromorphone
Even if the overdose involved a mixture of drugs, naloxone is safe to use. It won’t hurt the person if they aren’t actually overdosing on opioids.
How Is Naloxone Given?
Naloxone can be administered by anyone—no medical license required. It comes in two easy-to-use forms:
1. Nasal Spray (Narcan®)
- Prefilled and needle-free
- Insert into one nostril and press to deliver the full dose
- Great for family members, teachers, or bystanders
2. Injectable Naloxone
- Inject into a large muscle (like the thigh or upper arm), under the skin, or into a vein
- Often used by first responders or harm reduction professionals
If you suspect someone is overdosing, don’t wait. Give naloxone and call 911 right away.
Recognizing an Opioid Overdose
If someone is experiencing an overdose, their breathing may slow or stop completely. Look for:
- Unconsciousness or no response to voice/touch
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
- Gurgling or snoring-like sounds
- Blue or gray lips, skin, or fingernails
- Pinpoint pupils that don’t respond to light
Always err on the side of caution. If you think it might be an overdose, treat it like one.
What to Do in an Overdose Emergency
- Call 911 immediately
- Administer naloxone as directed
- Wait 2–3 minutes
- If no response, give a second dose
- Lay the person on their side to prevent choking
- Stay until help arrives, or for at least four hours
If fentanyl or stronger opioids are involved, more than one dose may be needed.
Why Carry Naloxone?
In 2023, nearly 80,000 of the 105,000+ drug overdose deaths in the U.S. involved opioids. Many of these deaths occurred in the presence of a bystander—but without naloxone, there was little they could do.
You can be the difference.
Carrying naloxone is as practical as carrying an EpiPen for someone with allergies. It’s a precaution, not a judgment. If you or someone you know is at increased risk for overdose, keep naloxone at home, in your car, or on your person.
This includes people who:
- Use prescription opioids
- Use illicit opioids like heroin or fentanyl
- Take high doses of opioids (50+ morphine milligram equivalents per day)
- Use opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines
- Are in recovery or early sobriety
Where Can You Get Naloxone?
You can now get naloxone over the counter in all 50 states. No prescription required.
Check:
- Local pharmacies
- Community-based programs
- Syringe service programs
- Public health departments
- Some convenience or grocery stores
Costs vary by location and insurance. Many programs offer naloxone for free or reduced cost. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if naloxone should be co-prescribed with your opioid medication.
Good Samaritan Laws Protect You
In Delaware, and most states, Good Samaritan laws protect you from criminal charges when you call 911 or administer naloxone in good faith. Don’t let fear stop you from doing the right thing.
Save Lives with Naloxone
You don’t need to be a doctor to save someone’s life. All you need is a little training, the right tools, and the willingness to act. Atracare is proud to support harm reduction by helping our community:
- Access naloxone
- Learn to use it
- Respond safely and confidently in an overdose emergency
Because every second matters—and every life matters.
References & Resources:
- Save Lives with Naloxone – https://www.dea.gov/onepill/save-lives
- Lifesaving Naloxone – https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/caring/naloxone.html
- 5 Things to Know About Naloxone – https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/reversing-overdose/about-naloxone.html#:~:text=Naloxone%20saves%20lives,medications%2C%20heroin%2C%20and%20fentanyl.
- Good Samaritan Law:
- https://www.helpisherede.com/addiction/harm-reduction/good-samaritan-law
- https://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c068/sc01/index.html
Additional Resources you may want to check: Naloxone Drug Facts
📍 Need Naloxone or Have Questions?
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