You can help reverse the overdose epidemic
The case for why we should all be carrying naloxone.
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The fatal overdose epidemic in the US, which began in the 90s with increased overdoses on prescription opioids, finally looked like it was starting to take a turn in 2018. But then the covid pandemic hit, and amid increased isolation during lockdowns, fatal drug overdoses in the US skyrocketed, crossing 100,000 fatalities in a single year for the first time in 2021.
The main drivers of fatal overdoses over the last ten years are synthetic opioids, like fentanyl. Fentanyl is a highly potent narcotic that often gets mixed into the American drug supply to make drugs – ranging from heroin, to cocaine, to adderall – stronger and more addictive. The result is that huge numbers of people unknowingly consume a lethal dose of fentanyl laced into other drugs.
America’s “War on Drugs” and punitive approach to curbing drug use hasn’t solved this. So now American communities are turning to methods that emphasize “harm reduction” – creating environments for people with substance use disorder to find support, rather than punishment.
A big part of that is the distribution of the drug naloxone, also known as Narcan. Naloxone is an opioid-antagonist, and can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose as it’s happening. It does this by blocking opioid receptors in the brain.
Naloxone has been credited with saving tens of thousands of lives so far according to the CDC, and is a tool for fighting the ongoing overdose epidemic that some medical experts are now urging all Americans to have on hand.
Find harm reduction resources near you (US only):
National Harm Reduction Coalition’s Naloxone Finder: https://harmreduction.org/resource-center/harm-reduction-near-you/
Free harm reduction supplies by mail from non-profit NEXT Distro: https://nextdistro.org/naloxone#state-finder
Sources and further reading:
The American Medical Association’s Overdose Epidemic Report for 2023: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/ama-overdose-epidemic-report.pdf
Latest drug overdose death rate data from National Institutes of Health: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
CDC guidance on overdose prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/index.html
Struggling with substance use disorder? SAMHSA’s national helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Note: The title of this video has been updated
Previous title: Why you should carry Narcan
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@clarajamison-claramazing4036
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Addiction is real. It destroys individuals and families. Unfortunately many are based on prescription drugs. Now, there are so many people who are suffering from it because it takes just one moment. Only one moment to fall and be addicted. Addiction doesn't discriminate; anyone can fall into it. What is sad is that the same doctors and Pharma companies created the problem, they are now coming up with drugs to "help" fix the problem. How about we take off all these addictive drugs off the market and banned? Why not, do that instead of another drug or spray or what else they come up with. Don't get me wrong I am happy that this spray is available but that is a band aid making this worse. Let's have these doctors be held accountable to stop this cycle while helping those affected by this epidemic.
@huskydadtokoda
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
I went to an event that was randomly giving them out so I took one and threw it in my bag. Two days later I was at a pool party and someone passed out/od – we were able to revive them within minutes after administering the naloxone. It's amazing how fast it works
@GregHuffman1987
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
narcan me bro
@zumabbar
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
1:00 using car crashes and firearms-related fatalities in 2020 as a baseline feels like a bit disingenious
edit: turns out it's 2021, but that only reinforces my point
@Haruko_Le
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
as EMT, let me tell you something.
narcan isnt that cheap! they are like 40$/2 and you counting on people that living paycheck to paycheck to aid other people that very sure will immediately OD again the very next day!
also alot of those OD when they get up they absolutely get violent!
@light_rrr
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
I carry it with me in my diaper bag!!!
@toddsutherland
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Naloxone is free at every pharmacy in Canada, and they’ll show you how to use it. If you are Canadian there is no reason not to carry one.
@SK-fy8dl
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Could this lead to more deaths and addiction in the future bc drugs are seen as safe? I remember reading some cities in Europe/America had an increase in deaths after decriminalizing hard drugs.
@ScrotalDermatitis
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Geez libs love drug abuse and now crying about overdoses? You all are the reason for the Chinese opioid epidemic btw
@ConnieeCoo
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Watching this over in the UK with my jaw on the floor 😵 well done for increasing awareness on this super simple way to help 👏🏻
@HeyHereTer
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Wait medication, for free, in America? Guess we underestimate you guys.
@damie9412
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Nive
@juliuscesar4176
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Just let nature take its course.
@ElRogallo
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
You can help reverse the overdose opioid epidemic: “Expanding access to naloxone isn’t a silver bullet for reversing the opioid epidemic”.
@frantremblay1630
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Now if you can get law enforcement to not be tripping when they run across someone who isn't using despite carrying naloxone as a first-aid tool.
@leonhardpauli5815
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
I am EU citizen so I don’t really know how it must be in a situation like this.
I wonder one thing: how did the rate of prevented overdoses change?
@Thoughtcaster-six
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Too much freedom that people dont know what right and wrong is.
@ralimba1778
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Shame on those who keep stigmatizing a health issue
@joseduran9232
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Or… hear me out.. maybe STOP MAKING THESE DRUGS SO ACCESIBLE.
@davidperman7517
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
I’ll support Narcan, but what about all the drugs coming through the border?
@david_realuser
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
I remember when Lil Peep has OD around 2017 close of my birthday, is much sad fr someone so young dead with drugs like xanax and others
@Sacrer
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Maybe instead of trying to save the addicts you probably won't even encounter, fight the drugs that made them addicted in the first place.
@spinflux
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
The notion that we need to make other people’s problems our own is foreign to Americans. I personally wouldn’t carry Narcan because I don’t want to get involved in other people’s poor choices. It’s not that I don’t care about my fellow human, it’s that I can’t care more about them than they care about themselves. That’s a recipe for trauma and I am already too fragile. I made the choice not to use specifically so I wouldn’t need to deal with people who OD.
@DAIIIVA
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
i dont wanna help
@vasil3089
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
GROW YOUR OWN!
Legalize it all.
@SadeN_0
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
I thought legitimate Xanax bars do not exist at all anymore
@user-tk2jy8xr8b
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Isn't the problem that drug addicts can't afford quality-controlled opioids, so they have to buy some questionable substances at the first place?
@Anonymous_Lee19
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
While I think that this is a good initiative, it is only a temporary solution.
Over 100,000 overdose deaths annually, and the government still refuse to deal with the underlying problems?
@universome511
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Imagine seriously saying that drug use is "criminalized" when you know anyone who hears you can just look up footage of the streets of an American city
@Aster_Risk
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Thank you for this video.
@ErinMDavis05
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
As an Addiction Counselor, and a person in long-term recovery, THANK YOU 💕
@williammosley8026
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
The dru g dealer's thank you very much for doing just as much as the loved one s
@moritz584
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Fun fact: Narcan is sold by the same company who is primarily responsible for the fentanyl epidemic
@Just_A_Simple_Time_Traveller
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Nice
@bensmith8682
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Okay but why would I want to? These stains did it to themselves, they refuse to learn and quit. Stop making these degenerates our problem
@ekkle5ia
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
I feel sorry for those who have to live in this reality. If only America would recognise its mistakes in allowing such lenient drug policies and take a harsher stance against it.
@ulli-dulli333
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
How is this going to help the epidemic long term?
@aknight7252
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
(Non American here) 2:57 sounds a lot like George Floyd
@bigsyrup8567
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
Maybe I don’t want to. Hahahahah
@emmahardt3493
October 3, 2024 at 2:30 am
I carry it! You can get it for free in NYC by requesting it from oasas