Synthetic opioids have been prevalent since the 1990s, when doctors first began prescribing them as painkillers. But with increased prescriptions came increased danger. These drugs are highly addictive and can be fatal. More than 700,000 people have died from an opioid overdose since 1999, and even though the rate has decreased in recent years, the problem persists.
Utah's Opioid Crisis
While deaths from opioids have been falling around the country, Utah still saw an increase in overdose deaths, according to CDC data. The rate is lower than many other states, but with the prevalence of drugs like oxycodone and fentanyl, more than 600 Utahns died in 2022 — the latest data — from an overdose.
Some older adults, surgery patients, and others who no longer have access to their prescription drugs turn to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids when they begin to have symptoms of withdrawal, or continue to have pain.
It doesn't help that drugmakers continue to change the ways drugs are made to avoid detection and increase their potency.
What Is Naloxone?
Opioids work by blocking pain receptors and releasing pleasure chemicals in the central nervous system. Besides those numbing effects, opioids can also slow breathing. When someone overdoses, the drugs block too many signals and breathing can stop completely.
Naloxone aka Narcan is a medication that looks and acts a lot like an opioid by binding to the same receptors. Since it's much stickier to those receptors, it kicks out opioids that are blocking nerve signals, reversing the opioid effect.
Injectable naloxone rescue kit. (Ali Vallarta/City Cast Salt Lake)
How Can You Use It?
There are two ways to administer Narcan, but the most popular is a nasal injection spray. Someone suffering from an overdose might have pupils that look like pinpoints, and their lips and hands might be blueish-gray. Dr. Jennifer Plumb, director of Utah Naloxone, told City Cast Salt Lake to look for someone who is "not talking and not moving."
Call 911 if you suspect someone has overdosed, then administer naloxone. Even though you can't hurt someone by giving them naloxone, never give it to someone who is awake.
Dr. Plumb was on our show to talk about why good neighbors carry naloxone. If you want to keep one at home or in your car, here is a list of places where you can get naloxone for free, including most libraries and fire stations. You might save a life!
❣️ There’s a virtual naloxone training happening today, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. Those who pre-register and attend will receive a free injectable naloxone rescue kit.
