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Post by monklady123 on Mar 9, 2023 1:58:32 GMT
My dh and I went to an information/training session tonight at our community center. Last month my county had a high school boy die from an overdose, and four or five other students who were with him were taken to the hospital. It really had never occurred to me before that boy's death that everyone could carry Narcan. It was a very sobering presentation. And I learned a lot about how/why fentanyl is such a problem... how little is needed to kill someone (the equivalent of 7 grains of salt can be enough  ), and how it's randomly mixed into pills so that the blue pill a kid gets from Sam at the party might get him high...then the next week and the next party the same blue pill might kill him because there's more fentanyl in it. And, after the boy died last month I intentionally didn't request Narcan or sign up for the training because I thought that people who worked in middle and high schools should get it first and I wondered if there might be more demand than supply. Well this evening the guy told us about babies who find pills on the floor, and about the elementary school kid in the next county who was given the wrong pill by mistake (his adult thought they were giving him his ADHD pill and in the rush out the door to school he got the wrong thing) and who passed out at school. My thought had been "oh my elementary school kids are not taking drugs"... Well no, they probably are not taking them on purpose, but they could certain get them accidentally. And, we learned that drug sniffing dogs carry Narcan in their vests in case they inhale a bunch of drugs. awww.... (it works on "anything mammalian" according to our trainer.) Anyway, it was pretty depressing to see the statistics, and how opioid deaths climbed during the pandemic, and what percent of deaths in my small county are due to opioids.  Go and get this training if you haven't. In fact there isn't actually much "training" involved...my dd did it online. It's a totally safe thing to give someone because it has zero effect on anyone who does not have opioids in their body. |
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pantsonfire
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Post by pantsonfire on Mar 9, 2023 2:07:30 GMT
No. But I know someone who works with multiple organizations in city and county level for harm reduction and they hand out Narcan to who ever would like it.
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StephDRebel
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Posts: 6,668
Location: Ohio
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Post by StephDRebel on Mar 9, 2023 2:08:48 GMT
My dh and I went to an information/training session tonight at our community center. Last month my county had a high school boy die from an overdose, and four or five other students who were with him were taken to the hospital. It really had never occurred to me before that boy's death than everyone could carry Narcan. It was a very sobering presentation. And I learned a lot about how/why fentanyl is such a problem... how little is needed to kill someone (the equivalent of 7 grains of salt can be enough ), and how it's randomly mixed into pills so that the blue pill a kid gets from Sam at the party might get him high...then the next week and the next party the same blue pill might kill him because there's more fentanyl in it. And, after the boy died last month I intentionally didn't request Narcan or sign up for the training because I thought that people who worked in middle and high schools should get it first and I wondered if there might be more demand than supply. Well this evening the guy told us about babies who find pills on the floor, and about the elementary school kid in the next county who was given the wrong pill by mistake (his adult thought they were giving him his ADHD pill and in the rush out the door to school he got the wrong thing) and who passed out at school. My thought had been "oh my elementary school kids are not taking drugs"... Well no, they probably are not taking them on purpose, but they could certain get them accidentally. And, we learned that drug sniffing dogs carry Narcan in their vests in case they inhale a bunch of drugs. awww.... (it works on "anything mammalian" according to our trainer.) Anyway, it was pretty depressing to see the statistics, and how opioid deaths climbed during the pandemic, and what percent of deaths in my small county are due to opioids.  Go and get this training if you haven't. In fact there isn't actually much "training" involved...my dd did it online. It's a totally safe thing to give someone because it has zero effect on anyone who does not have opioids in their body. I do. I lost 2 cousins under 30 to overdose this year so far. You never ever know when you'll need it. |
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Post by Lexica on Mar 9, 2023 2:16:28 GMT
Yes, I do keep it in my medications drawer. My doctor offered it and at that point, I lived alone and didn’t think I needed it. Then when my niece and her child moved in with Mom and I, I asked him for it. My niece had a drug history and her child was one of those kids that was into everything and her mother didn’t seem to care. When they moved in, I started locking up my pills, just in case. But I did keep a few Vicodin in my purse for when I was out and about so I wanted it as a precaution.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Mar 9, 2023 2:32:51 GMT
It's never occurred to me to have it in my possession. At this point, there are no risk factors for needing it. But this thread makes me think about whether "we" (as in any random person) ought to give thought to having access to it. I'd hate to be in a situation where I wished I had it and did not.
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Post by monklady123 on Mar 9, 2023 3:06:33 GMT
It's never occurred to me to have it in my possession. At this point, there are no risk factors for needing it. But this thread makes me think about whether "we" (as in any random person) ought to give thought to having access to it. I'd hate to be in a situation where I wished I had it and did not. Yes, anyone in any situation might need to use it. We recently had a group of teens who ODed in a local mall parking garage in the afternoon. Anyone shopping at the mall might have found them. In fact maybe someone did... I've forgotten the details. And the Good Samaritan laws protect anyone who gives Narcan. Which actually has no effect at all if someone does not have opioids in their system, so there's nothing that could cause someone to try to sue. |
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Post by MichyM on Mar 9, 2023 3:11:44 GMT
I have carried one dose in my bag for about 6 months. I’d hate to be in a situation where I can do nothing, when it is so easy to help.
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Post by ntsf on Mar 9, 2023 4:15:22 GMT
dh is on opiods (legally) and they gave him narcan with the prescription. he also has one in the first aid box.. as he did first aid at burning man for his small group.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Mar 9, 2023 4:20:12 GMT
No because my pharmacist told me not to. He gave me several reasons and I believed him. Now I am not sure but I don’t carry it on me.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Mar 9, 2023 4:22:36 GMT
It was prescribed last time I was prescribed an opioid but they didn’t fill it. I don’t think it would be a bad thing to have it.
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Post by scrapmaven on Mar 9, 2023 4:39:30 GMT
After a major surgery they sent me home w/a script for an opiod and another script for Narcan. Apparently, that's standard fare now. I've never had that happen until this past surgery. I think it's a good idea, but I'm sad that it has come to this.
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Mar 9, 2023 4:48:24 GMT
Tomorrow is “naloxone day” at my University. Students who attend the sessions get one free dose plus training, as well as some fentanyl test strips. I’m not sure if staff are included in the invitation, but if so, I might go check it out.
As a side note, DH fell through our ceiling Monday when he wa running some new security camera lines in our attic. He broke four ribs and has two spine fractures as well. Fortunately, he doesn’t need surgery, but he has a long recovery in front of him. His pain was really bad in the ER, and I was surprised when I heard the doctor order fentanyl in his IV. I mean, I know it’s a painkiller, but most of the time you only hear about it as a dangerous street drug.
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Post by gorgeouskid on Mar 9, 2023 6:07:53 GMT
I do not, but I am trained to administer Narcan, and would do so if needed.
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Post by monklady123 on Mar 9, 2023 10:01:11 GMT
No because my pharmacist told me not to. He gave me several reasons and I believed him. Now I am not sure but I don’t carry it on me. Honestly, I feel like your pharmacist was misinformed. Narcan is totally safe, it does not need a prescription like regular medication, it's handed out to anyone who is old enough to understand how to stick it up someone's nose... My county has drug information sessions for anyone who is interested, and they hand out Narcan at the end of them. etc. Unless perhaps Canada does not have the Good Samaritan laws that the USA has? Although again, Narcan isn't like say doing CPR on someone and breaking a few ribs, where someone might try to sue (although Good Samaritan covers them also) -- Narcan has absolutely zero effects on anyone who does not have opioids in their body. So I don't know why a pharmacist would be discouraging someone from carrying it. |
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Post by littlemama on Mar 9, 2023 11:19:20 GMT
Yes, ds has some from when he went thru a training. Idk where it is though
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Post by Bridget in MD on Mar 9, 2023 12:22:13 GMT
What drug does Narcan revive from an OD? I too thought it was like oxy or heroin or something illegal. Posters above are saying they may carry it bc they have an rx for certain drugs?  I will try to find some online training for sure! |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Mar 9, 2023 12:36:17 GMT
As a side note, DH fell through our ceiling Monday when he wa running some new security camera lines in our attic. He broke four ribs and has two spine fractures as well. Fortunately, he doesn’t need surgery, but he has a long recovery in front of him. Poor guy. Hope he heals quickly. |
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Post by hopechest on Mar 9, 2023 15:01:01 GMT
I don't, but this makes me think I should.
My kiddo is 6, so it honestly didn't occur to me. I have stressed quite a bit to not eat anything that didn't come from a teacher or lunch lady. No "sharing" food with his friends at school just because you never know. But kids are kids...I wouldn't necessarily trust him to not eat a found bag of "candy".
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Post by malibou on Mar 9, 2023 15:03:19 GMT
We are going to start carrying it and will have Ds get some too.
I was stunned when I heard that enough fentanyl was seized this year to kill every single American. And I don't believe for a second that there isn't far more of it in circulation. It's a very dangerous drug that is being slipped into all kinds of other drugs.
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Post by workingclassdog on Mar 9, 2023 15:32:16 GMT
No. I have taken a ton of Narcan/Fentyal training when I worked at the prison.. it is something you don't want to even mess around with.. but yet I don't have Narcan.
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,037
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Post by used2scrap on Mar 9, 2023 16:06:05 GMT
Both my college students have it. This thread is giving me pause to think I should too.
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Post by monklady123 on Mar 9, 2023 16:16:47 GMT
What drug does Narcan revive from an OD? I too thought it was like oxy or heroin or something illegal. Posters above are saying they may carry it bc they have an rx for certain drugs? I will try to find some online training for sure! Opioids. But the problem today with all of the fentanyl that's in circulation is that drug dealers are putting it in other non-opioid drugs (the illegal ones). This is one reason why public health folks are encouraging people to get the fentanyl test strips, so they can test whatever illegal drug it is that they're getting ready to take. There are people who don't agree with this strategy, but if someone is going to take drugs anyway isn't it better that they have the ability to test that drug for fentanyl *before* they take it and OD and possibly die? |
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milocat
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Post by milocat on Mar 9, 2023 16:28:07 GMT
Thank you for this information, I didn't know all of it.
I don't understand lacing drugs with fentanyl. Your customer dies and isn't buying from you anymore.
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maryannscraps
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Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Mar 9, 2023 16:45:17 GMT
What drug does Narcan revive from an OD? I too thought it was like oxy or heroin or something illegal. Posters above are saying they may carry it bc they have an rx for certain drugs? I will try to find some online training for sure! Oxy, Fentanyl, and hydrocodone, among others, can all be legal medications. Legal prescriptions are often abused. |
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Post by rymeswithpurple on Mar 9, 2023 18:11:18 GMT
The non-profit where I work has previously offered Narcan training, but I wasn't able to take part in it. Hopefully it will be offered again. If you're interested in reading more about this epidemic, I highly recommend both of Sam Quinones' books. |
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TXMary
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Post by TXMary on Mar 9, 2023 18:22:03 GMT
Prior to this thread, I had never even heard of it. Thanks for sharing...
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Post by monklady123 on Mar 9, 2023 18:22:09 GMT
The non-profit where I work has previously offered Narcan training, but I wasn't able to take part in it. Hopefully it will be offered again. If you're interested in reading more about this epidemic, I highly recommend both of Sam Quinones' books. Check on line with your city/county. There really isn't much "training" involved... it's almost exactly like those single-dose allergy nasal sprays. The "training" is more education. Which of course is beneficial, I'm not saying don't get educated about the drug crisis. But in order to use the Narcan you only need about 5 minutes of actual training. My county offers a very short on-line thing, then they'll send you the Narcan. |
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Post by its me mg on Mar 9, 2023 19:06:38 GMT
Thank you for this information, I didn't know all of it. I don't understand lacing drugs with fentanyl. Your customer dies and isn't buying from you anymore. That's the problem - you can't ever be 100% sure what you have. Someone who deals drugs just wants to make money and unfortunately if you drop dead from taking a pill there are many people who would take your place and buy from him. He'll never be out of business until he gets caught or dies. |
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scrapngranny
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Post by scrapngranny on Mar 9, 2023 19:13:36 GMT
No, but it’s just DH and I here. If I had a teen I might consider itt.
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Post by dewryce on Mar 9, 2023 19:33:20 GMT
We don’t, as I can’t take opioids anymore and I didn’t realize just anyone can have it. But thank you for the PSA, I’d like to carry it with me in case my young relatives (and truthfully an uncle in law) need it or even a stranger.
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), and how it's randomly mixed into pills so that the blue pill a kid gets from Sam at the party might get him high...then the next week and the next party the same blue pill might kill him because there's more fentanyl in it. 
