Preventing Harm and Reducing Maine Overdose Deaths
Maine has higher rates of overdose O Significant increase in deaths from 2016 to 2017 o Most fatalities occur from illicit drugs such as fentanyl o Many overdoses occur from the use of more than one drug Most drug related arrests are a result of heroin Approximately 1 Mainer dies of overdose everyday Overdose deaths are currently declining Narcan (naloxone): a highly specific, high- affinity opioid antagonist Stronger affinity that opioids-> bumps opioids off receptors-> reverses overdose Does not work on non-opioid drugs Not abusable Onset: 2-8 minutes Duration: 30-90 minutes Always call 911 because overdose can reoccur after duration Side effects: withdrawal symptoms Naloxone formulations o Injectable and intranasal generic: spray 1 mL into each nostril o Intranasal brand (Narcan nasal spray): Spray 0.1 mL into one nostril no assembly o injectable generic vials: inject 1 mL into shoulder or thigh o auto-injector: inject into outer thigh as directed by voice prompts list price: 3000 no assembly avoid opioid and benzo combination Signs of an overdose: Comatose Depressed respiration 0 Pinpoint pupils 0 Blue lips Clammy hands Emergency response: Call 911
Administer naloxone O CPR Give for 2 minutes before leaving for naloxone o Rescue breathing technique: First administer 2 slow breaths and look for chest rise Give 1 breathe every 5 seconds o Stay with patient for 3 hours or until help arrives If you must leave put in recovery position
Head tilted well back
Recovery position Bent leg props the body up and prevents the casualty roiling forward
Hand supporting head
Bent arm
Can prescribe naloxone to anyone