There is a public health crisis of fatalities from opioid drug overdoses, both from illegal street drugs and from opiate prescription drugs. There are proven strategies in existence that can dramatically reduce the chance of a death from an overdose. This can be done by making the availability of a low cost, low risk intervention practice, along with increased education and outreach programs, for those at a high risk of overdosing. Policy makers can help to prevent the tragedy and unnecessary loss of life.

One of the most effective is a drug called naloxone hydrochloride, or Narcan, which was approved by the FDA in 1971. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the brain cell receptors activated by heroin and other opiate drugs, temporarily restoring normal breathing within two to three minutes.

When emergency medical professionals respond to an overdose incident, a dose of naloxone is administered if necessary. If the overdose victim does not respond within after two minutes, another dose is given, and so on until the naloxone has reached it desired effect. The effects of naloxone lasts long enough time to transport the victim to a hospital.

Naloxone can either be administered via intramuscular injection or intranasal using an atomizer. Naloxone can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, but has no effect if administered to a person who has not taken opioids and it has no potential for abuse. It is not possible to overdose on naloxone.

Naloxone distribution programs train potential overdose witnesses to correctly administer the drug. The programs involve overdose prevention education and training in how to recognize an overdose, including rescue breathing and contacting emergency services. This has been found to improve responses to overdoses.

Providing take home naloxone to opioid drug users is a simple and inexpensive way to significantly reduce deaths from heroin overdoses. Availability efforts have been undertaken in some cities and states around the country with considerable success

Advocates in some states are considering alternative approaches to increasing access to naloxone, changing the FDA’s status from prescription only to over the counter. There is so little to none potential for misuse, naloxone could meet over the counter standards, making the option worthy of consideration.

If this practice had been in effect in my state, in 1996, perhaps my son would still be alive. Harm reduction practices save lives. Helmets are part of harm reduction practices, so are car seats and seatbelts, insulin is a take home drug for diabetics, antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections, and the list goes on. Why, wouldn’t we want to save a loved one from an accidental drug overdose death?