The incident at Smiths Station High School earlier this week has sparked a lot of debate about Narcan, fentanyl, vapes, and drug use in general. We would like to dispel some rumors and misinformation about Narcan and its use.
The first thing to know about Narcan is that it has no known side effects if administered to someone who has no opioid drugs in their system. That is why when it is suspected that someone has come into contact with substances like fentanyl, Narcan can be safely administered to prevent the potentially deadly effects of those drugs.
Narcan is a naloxone nasal spray. There are other forms of naloxone, but Narcan is the one that our deputies carry with them while on duty. Naloxone is a medication used to rapidly reverse opioid overdose from things like fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine. It attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of opioids. If the person it is administered to’s breathing has slowed or stopped, it can help to restore their normal breathing. They still need to seek medical attention, but this can help them to stay alive while help is on the way.
Our deputies are trained to recognize the symptoms of fentanyl and similar substances, and they are trained to react quickly. Because we have, unfortunately, had incidents involving fentanyl in the past, our deputies that have experienced it firsthand have been able to share their knowledge with their fellow deputies about these symptoms, how they begin, and how quickly they can progress. Because there is no negative side effect if you use Narcan when there is no opioid in your system, there is no harm in administering Narcan to yourself or someone else if you believe you/they have come into contact with a substance like fentanyl at the onset of symptoms.
Here are a few helpful resources with more information about Narcan and naloxone:
https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/naloxone/index.html
