The Crucial Role of Narcan in Opioid Overdose Prevention

By David Perry, LICSW, NEW Health SUDS Director

Every September marks National Recovery Month, a time to raise awareness about substance use disorders and celebrate those in recovery. Improving access to evidence-based practices for the treatment of substance use disorder is crucial. One of the clearest tools we have to combat opioid overdose death is Narcan.

Narcan is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain. It’s easy to administer, non-addictive, and has no potential for abuse. 

It is crucial to begin normalizing the distribution, carrying, and use of Narcan.  For many, a Narcan overdose can be the first steps into recovery.  By keeping someone alive from a fatal overdose, they then have the opportunity to access additional needed care.  At NEW Health, we encourage you to become involved and consider picking up a dose for free at our health center, or many of the other CNP programs throughout the state.  By distributing Narcan widely, we can empower communities to take action against the opioid epidemic.  

Below, please find the basic training for Narcan use including the signs of overdose and instructions for use of Narcan.  Also please consider joining us for our Recovery Month Celebration lunch and Narcan training on 9/18/24 from 11:00AM-1:00PM.

 How can I help someone having an overdose?

Look for these signs of overdose:

1. Breathing very slow or stopped
2. Fingers and lips turning blue
3. Snoring deeply: this is often mistaken for sleeping
4. Limp body; slow or no pulse

Try to get a response:

1. Shake them lightly
2. Yell their name
3. Rub your knuckles on the bony middle part of their chest
4. Call 9-1-1 if there is no response.
5. Say “I have a person who has stopped breathing!” (You don’t need to tell 9-1-1 that drugs may have been involved).
6. Give the address and your exact location.

Use “Rescue Breathing.”

1. Make sure nothing is in their mouth.
2. Tilt their head back. Lift their chin and pinch their nose. 
3. Breathe 2 breaths into their mouth. Check if their chest rises.
4. If their chest doesn’t rise, try again. Tilt their head back more, and make sure you are plugging their nose.
5. Use Narcan nasal spray (see instructions below).
6. If they don’t respond to Rescue Breathing, give them Narcan.
7. Wait 2-5 minutes. Keep doing Rescue Breathing.
8. If there is no response, try Narcan again in the other nostril.
9. Continue Rescue Breathing until their breathing gets better or they wake up.
10. Stay with them until help arrives.

How do I use Narcan Nasal Spray?

• Peel the foil off the back of the plastic package. Take the device out.
• Hold the device with your thumb on the bottom of the plunger and your fingers on either side of the nozzle.
• Put the nozzle up one side of the person’s nose. Press down on the plunger. Spray all of the medicine into the person’s nose. You don’t need to spray into both sides of their nose, just one side.

Where can I get Narcan?

• At a pharmacy, ask for a naloxone kit. A prescription is not needed. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has a “standing order” that allows retail pharmacies to provide naloxone without a prescription. 
• All Mass General Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital pharmacies have a standing order.
• A local Community Naloxone Program like NEW Health.