toddc
New Member
Posts: 12 
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Post by toddc on Jan 26, 2016 17:35:48 GMT
Obviously we have all had our share of exposure to the heroin epidemic in one form or another. I heard an interesting call about 2 weeks ago now. A local FD and local ambulance were alerted for an OD. The dispatcher reported at the time of alert that the patient had already been given Narcan? When EMS arrived, they were told that the patient had been given Narcan at the local hospital the last time he or she had OD'd? And, it had been administered pre arrival? I obviously don't know all of the details, but my first thought was WOW! what a way to prevent re-occurrence, by giving an addict a security blanket for when they OD again. Everything about that just seems wrong to me. Maybe it is just me?
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Post by Jeff Schenk on Jan 28, 2016 0:26:17 GMT
The criminal justice system needs to have stricter laws for these repeat patients. I heard one on the radio where law enforcement at 02:00 hrs pushed narcan , the patient was released from hospital, then patient was found code 100 8 hrs later from a repeat overdose. A lot of money is spent on one ems call. From the dispatchers , rescues, ambulances, and er visits.
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Post by Matt W. on Jan 28, 2016 17:31:55 GMT
I have always strongly disagreed with non EMS administrating Narcan. I realize that it can be a life saving drug, however someone who has given Narcan can tell you sometimes the "wake up" isn't this nice easy peaceful process. Yes law enforcement is trained in dealing with combativeness however they are starting to give Narcan kits out at local pharmacies. What is the good samaritan going to do when the administer this drug and the person wakes up violent? local, state, and federal law maker are putting people at potential risk with some of the people given Narcan. I know as ALS providers we to administer the drug however we give it in increments strictly for respiratory effect.
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toddc
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by toddc on Jan 29, 2016 19:17:36 GMT
Something else I don't understand? When you respond to a reported OD, the police are dispatched as well. You arrive and find that there is in fact an OD etc. Once the situation is under control and the patient is being loaded, the Law Enforcement leaves. Correct me if I am wrong but heroin is in fact illegal. And if someone did in fact OD on the premises that would indicate illegal activity at that location that should be investigated at that time I would think?
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Post by Lou Ann Jones on Feb 1, 2016 1:31:54 GMT
Would you feel different if it was your child, I know I would do anything to save my children.
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Post by jtstallone on Feb 2, 2016 14:42:45 GMT
I don't have a good feeling about Narcan being sold in pharmacies without a prescription. It seems like our culture is saying that we have failed miserably in taking drugs off the street so since we can't fix that problem, here have Narcan so you can continue your habit and just in case you OD, you will live another day to shoot up some more heroin. And the health department is ok with that because you can't get addicted to Narcan. I think this will also cause more injuries to civilians that do administer Narcan to an OD patient, they will not be prepared for when that person wakes up and becomes violent. I don't think it is a good idea for cops to administer Narcan to a patient, it puts more responsibility on them because they are performing medical care and may miss other factors that may be causing the patient to have a medical emergency where they would delay response time for EMS. We may also see the case were the a police officer administers Narcan, now the patient is AOx3, so they decide that they don't need the ambulance anymore, take the patient to booking and now the patient experiences another medical emergency, so they just delayed medical help that the patient needed.
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Post by davidkennett on Feb 2, 2016 22:43:31 GMT
I feel the narcan has far to much media attention. Yes is do think that is a good thing, but it should be EMS's best kept secret. With all the media attention narcan is getting it is basic telling all the users it is ok to use the drugs because if they overdose there is a magical drug that will bring them back.
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Post by Mark Nell on Feb 3, 2016 14:05:15 GMT
In response to one of the previous replies, about 4-5 years ago there was a new law put in place, basically the Good Samaritan Law . It states that a person who, in good faith, seeks health care for themselves or another rearding an alcohol or drug overdose or life threatening emergency, shall not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance, items, etc associated with that incident. This has come into play on numerous occasions, and the courts have upheld this law. It is putting LE in a tough spot , there have been some investigations initiated with arrests made, which eventually have been dismissed because of this law.
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Post by durfeew on Feb 3, 2016 17:58:24 GMT
I agree, it would seem that law and policy makers are doing less to end the problem, and more to protect the health of the people who have the problem through the availability of narcan and lack of legal repercussion if you overdose. It would seem to make more sense if there was more effort placed on stopping the sale, possession, and use of heroin which might in turn end up with less people using it and therefore less overdoses.
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Post by andrewfischer on Feb 11, 2016 7:42:35 GMT
I agree with the sentiment of David's comment about wanting Narcan to be "EMS's best kept secret." While general availability is probably a good thing, many people concentrate on Narcan's "magical effects." They should be aware, as others have pointed out, of the possibility for violence when an overdosed individual "loses their high" and regains consciousness. The "Narcan halo" may also convince individuals that heroin use is less dangerous than it is in realty.
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Post by Brad Ano on Feb 16, 2016 15:46:49 GMT
Narcan and Heroin... In the main area we cover it has become a MAJOR issue.. So many heroin ODs, some we are to late to save. Drug use has a direct correlation with Economy, When the economy in a specific area is on a downward slope, drug/alcohol use is on an upward slope. I have read a few studies on this, and I am seeing it first hand in our area, Its they way some people begin to cope with their issues.
The worst part about it to me, Is that the users continue to get younger and younger. Making its way into high schools, with no end in site. With 3 small children of my own I'm scared to think what they will be facing in school, what drug will it be, and did I teach them well enough to say NO? Now with Narcan possibly being sold at pharmacies, over the counter. is this Negative re-enforcement? With the law that protects Users, A medication that reverses the effect What is to deter future children from Trying this drug (aside from the obvious health problems). And once they try it... that's all it takes
There is no clear cut solution to the problem, but what is currently taking place is not working the problem is only getting worse.
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Post by Brian Sweatman on Feb 21, 2016 3:02:18 GMT
Now that Narcan will be available to everyone over the counter, I feel the number of calls for heroin ODs will increase. People will think that Narcan is the "miracle" drug that will bring their friends out of the high. Public education on the use of Narcan doesn't seem to be at the level it should be. Guess we will just have to wait and see.
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Post by louannj59 on Feb 25, 2016 23:57:02 GMT
No it is just you; no one thinks they are going to get addicted when they use anything. No one thinks they are goinig to overdose when doing heroin. Narcan has been around for years. The problem is the prevalence of heroin, not the antidote of narcan.
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aldo
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by aldo on Feb 27, 2016 1:12:46 GMT
I am not good on this subject, but anyways i will voice my opinion, I am against keeping narcan on our rescue and having to go through a class because people can't go get the help they actually need. It's just another expense for the state and the tax payer to have for JUNKIES!!! Three times in one day overdosing is just ridiculous.
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Post by joevfd on Mar 6, 2016 21:23:47 GMT
I agree if Narcan is so accessible some heroin users may push there limits and keep upping there dose knowing that Narcan will help them. we have to have stricter laws on the dealers and the repeat users.
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