With the continued rise of overdose deaths linked to Fentanyl, one coroner is urging those with addiction issues to seek help and for more individuals to have Narcan readily available should it be needed to reverse an overdose. St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston said first we must recognize that substance abuse is a medical disease.
“Addiction is not a character disorder, it’s a medical disorder,” said Preston.
Preston said Narcan is the antidote for most opiates and the main reason a person dies is that the opiate either puts them to sleep, suppresses their breathing, or stops their heart. Preston said Fentanyl is so powerful that one might need multiple doses of Narcan to be effective.
“If you have someone in your family that has an issue with opiates, have Narcan on hand, it can be lifesaving,” said Preston.
And even if you don’t have a family member or loved one with an addiction issue Preston encourages every home to have Narcan on hand. Preston said they offer it at his office, and it can be purchased at most drug stores. While you might not need it you never know if your neighbor does.
“It no longer requires a prescription; it doesn’t require a doctor’s order. Some insurances cover, some don’t. Even if the Narcan is $60 it’s way cheaper than a $10,000 funeral,” said Preston.
He said Narcan is a nasal spray and the manufacturer has videos on their website that explain how to recognize an overdose and how to administer the medication.
Comments