The opioid crisis has really hit the USA hard in recent years. A new wave is making the problem even worse across the country, with a lot needed to be done by Joe Biden and the government in order to try and solve what’s becoming an increasingly catastrophic situation.
Of course, for those suffering to get help with addiction treatment is a vital step in that and more and more people are doing so, but accessibility continues to be a problem, particularly in poorer areas of the country.
Naloxone is proving to be a vital instrument in such cases, but still so few people are aware of what it is and what it does. As we all look to educate ourselves a little more during the crisis, here’s a guide to what naloxone is and the important information behind it…
Naloxone Basics: What it is
Essentially, what naloxone does is reverse the effects of opioids such as fentanyl in the body, protecting people against overdoses. As opioids lead to respiratory depression, which can potentially be fatal, what naloxone does is bind the opioid receptors in the body and displaces them to restore our normal respiratory functioning.
It’s so vitally important for those that overdose, providing a rapid response through injection or nasal sprays.
It’s accessibility to the public
Naloxone isn’t as readily available as it perhaps should be at the moment, but accessibility is increasing as Biden looks to tackle the situation. It can now be picked up in a local pharmacy without a prescription, while many local support centres and safe administration centres have naloxone on standby.
It’s already saved thousands of lives, and the rollout of it growing is so, so vital.
The effectiveness of naloxone
Should naloxone be administered promptly after an overdose, the effectiveness of it is incredibly powerful. As mentioned, it’s saved so many lives already. What is important to note, however, is that it’s only an emergency intervention tactic, it’s not a ‘cure’ for addiction or able to help with addiction treatment.
Therefore, it can only help tackle the problem at hand and save lives rather than ease the number of people suffering from opioid addiction.
Legal Protections for Naloxone Administration
Of course, there is red tape around it, but that is being removed thanks to the Good Samaritan laws in place. Many states have implemented this to provide a legal protection for those who administer naloxone in good faith to help people overcome an overdose.
It’s important to understand these laws, so if you do need to help someone and intervene, you’re in a good position to administer correctly, save lives, and do everything above board as the country continues to battle this huge crisis.
