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Narcan — the opioid overdose medication — will finally be available over the counter (www.vox.com)
submitted 1 year ago by jeffw@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world
30 comments fedilink hide all child comments

In just a few days, drugstores like Walgreens will have it in stock, for everyone. Here’s how to use it, and who it will help.

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[-] theredroom@midwest.social 25 points 1 year ago

This is a good step forward for accessibility, but unfortunately, the $50 price tag will still put it out of the hands of many who need it. It should be handed out, for free, to anybody who wants it. There's zero downsides. It cannot be misused, diverted, or abused. It has no other uses. It has no effect on someone not ODing. It cannot benefit anyone in any possible way... unless they are actually dying right now. If we were serious about saving lives, we would be gladly giving it out. Hell, put it in free vending machines on the street. It would be the ultimate pro-life move. But, of course, in a capitalist hellscape, profit motive is of utmost importance. How about drug cos. making billions off opiods foot the bill? Thankfully, there are many great harm reduction organizations that do hand it out free, but the easier to get, the less people die. I recommend anyone pick up some, if you can find it for free, even if you don't think you'd need it. Home/work/car, you never know what might happen in your vicinity. It's like the modern Heimlich Maneuver. Ok... that's my PSA for the day.

[-] GBU_28@lemm.ee 19 points 1 year ago

Replying to top comment for vis:

All you said is correct. Quick PSA, narcan is a temporary opioid blocker. If you administer narcan to an actual OD patient, they will rise to a higher level of consciousness. They may even be able to walk and talk.

They NEED to go to the hospital though, the opioids are still in their system, and once the narcan wears off they can drop into respiratory distress again.

[-] Touching_Grass@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Seriously, you can just inject it without any harm?

I was at the CNE in Toronto recently and they had a free narcan table. The person was busy so I walked by. Now i regret not waiting

The city I live in has a fairly bad homeless problem and drug use that comes with it. Just last week I walked past some office workers who had to call an ambulance on a guy that was having troubles, not sure what the trouble was. The guy seemed out of it but was eating a sandwich but just out of it. The ambulance showed up as I walked past. And this is a common sight at lunch.

I should have grabbed a kit just in case

[-] GBU_28@lemm.ee 5 points 1 year ago

You don't inject it, it's a nasal spray

[-] Touching_Grass@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

This is why I didn't think I could handle the responsibilities.

[-] theredroom@midwest.social 5 points 1 year ago

Initially, it was only given by injection, but now it's common in the nasal spray. That's what's great about the nasal route, it's unintimidating and you can't fuck it up. ...I guess unless you squirt it in their ear or something. lol

[-] GBU_28@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

Well, if you touched the applicator it would be quickly obvious

[-] nutsack@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

be careful the guy that you wake up with narcan doesn't punch you in the face

[-] Zoboomafoo@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

My parents have plenty of stories to tell of patients dying of an OD being pissed at them for 'ruining their high'

[-] FartsWithAnAccent@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago

Wow, I didn't know it wasn't. That is crazy!

[-] SymphonicResonance@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

It was previously available behind the counter but a prescription was not needed .

[-] papalonian@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

To be clear, a prescription is still technically needed, but most states have laws in place that allows the pharmacist to write that prescription. Vaccines are done similarly.

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

Now it's time for conservatives to crow about how this is a bad thing and not have a good reason why.

[-] theredroom@midwest.social 5 points 1 year ago

And betray their pro-life stance, once again. As George Carlin said:

"They're all in favor of the unborn. They will do anything for the unborn. But once you're born, you're on your own. Pro-life conservatives are obsessed with the fetus from conception to nine months. After that, they don't want to know about you. They don't want to hear from you. No nothing. No neonatal care, no day care, no head start, no school lunch, no food stamps, no welfare, no nothing. If you're preborn, you're fine; if you're preschool, you're fucked."

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

Except even that isn't true. Do you see them pushing for free pre-natal care? If there's something wrong with your fetus that can be fixed through medical care and you can't afford it, fuck you and your baby, lady.

[-] jay9@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

For my Aussie friends - there is a free Take Home Nalaxone program, you can go to a huge list of chemists and get it for free, no prescriptions, no intrusive questions, super easily.

I got mine a couple of weeks ago 😄

https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/take-home-naloxone-program/where-to-access-naloxone

[-] theredroom@midwest.social 2 points 1 year ago

Awesome! Great info. I never doubted you guys would have a better program then we do in the states. Cheers.

[-] gornar@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Same here, at least on the west coast of Canada. Free, take one or two and go save some lives!

[-] nutsack@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

why in the fuck would it not be to begin with

[-] arefx@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Conservatives don't want it?

[-] nutsack@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

i don't know. i think there are many inconsequential things you can't buy over the counter in the united states. i have to wonder if it's a health insurance complex thing.

[-] arefx@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I mean health insurance plays a part in it. Conservatives don't want to pay tax money on narcan for people they consider valueless when they are already paying for their own health care. How do I know they think they are valueless? They don't want them to have access to a life savings thing. Also plenty will just straight up tell you that if you ask.

this post was submitted on 01 Sep 2023
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