On June 20, 2016, Governor Pat McCrory signed legislation that allows Naloxone, commonly referred to as Narcan, to be purchased at drug stores in our community without a prescription.
Narcan is used for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdoses, which include pain pills such as morphine, oxycodone and methadone, as well as heroin.
It can be given by nasal spray, or injection.
Narcan can be administered to any person who voluntarily requests it and is at risk of experiencing an opiate-related overdose, a family member or friend of a person at risk of experiencing an opiate-related overdose or in the position to assist a person at risk of experiencing an opiate-related overdose.
If you do administer Narcan, in good faith and using reasonable care, you are protected under North Carolina’s Good Samaritan/Naloxone Access law from a lawsuit for administering the drug.
(More information on North Carolina’s Standing Order for Naloxone (Narcan) is available by following this link)
Heroin and opioid abuse is at an all-time high in our area.
Most people reading this know someone personally, or have witnessed the effects of this addiction.
These addictions hurt, and are detrimental to, everyone in our community. From January 1, 2016, to July 31, 2016, in the Roanoke Rapids Police Department service area, Narcan was administered by EMS 12 times, by “other first responders” on two occasions and by a family member on at least one occasion.
Countywide, Narcan was administered 41 times.
Since July 1, 2016, in Roanoke Rapids heroin/opioid overdoses have been reported 11 times, two of which resulted in death.
With the passage of this legislature also comes the abuse.
Heroin and opioid users are playing Russian roulette with their life. Entrusting another user to have the Narcan and ready to deploy it in time should it look as though they are overdosing, ultimately providing them with a false sense of hope.
While Narcan is effective and beneficial to first responders, we must remain vigilant in our aid to the community in getting help to those who need it and providing a second chance at life. People who are addicted, or their loved ones, will never be turned away by our office.
In fact, we encourage you to reach out to us and allow us to assist you in taking that first step to a new beginning through rehabilitation.
In addition, there are several local options: Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions Access is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be reached at (800) 939-5911; Crossroads Christ Centered Recovery is available for support and linkage to recovery resources and can be reached at (252) 308-0111; and Valley Community Church’s Celebrate Recovery meets on Monday nights from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Together, as a community, we can combat this and save one life at a time.