By Selena Gonzales Lopez,
Staff Writer.
Opioids are a class of drugs that have natural and synthetic substances that can reduce pain but also create the feelings of intense pleasure and relaxation, which is why it is so often misused and addictive. This has unfortunately affected many families in Santa Rosa, which is why it’s especially important to educate all students on why Narcan is important, where you can get Narcan and drug tests and how to use both.
Narcan is a medicine that reverses the effects of an overdose, but is limited to only opioids. The most common opioids consist of fentanyl, heroin, prescription opioids, morphine, codeine, oxycodone and hydrocodone. Narcan works by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain. By pushing away the opioids on the brain’s receptors and attaching itself to the receptors, no other opioids can reattach and have an effect.
An average of 12 people per month die of a drug overdose in Sonoma County, so it is important to carry Narcan with you in the event of a possible overdose, as you can save someone’s life. “Narcan and drug tests (FTS) are available and free at the health office here at Santa Rosa High and downtown at Face to Face, but you can also buy them at a pharmacy,” said Jessica Jones, who works at the SRHS health office. The drug tests, or specifically fentanyl test strips (FTS), are not always 100% accurate so they do not guarantee that the drug is safe.
Though it is important to carry Narcan with you, it’s also important to learn how to use it. A good place to learn is the health office where you can make appointments for a quick lesson.
To use Narcan properly on someone, start by checking for the signs of an overdose, such as unresponsiveness, slowed or no breathing, gurgling and blue-gray lips and fingernails. Next, remove the nasal spray (Narcan) from the box, but do not test it as each spray contains only one full dose. Lastly, lay the person on their back and support their neck with your hand to be able to tilt their head slightly, then softly insert the tip of the nozzle into either nostril and press the plunger firmly.
After administering the dose, move the person onto their side to prevent them from choking on vomit, and if after two to three minutes they do not wake up or breathe normally, continue administering doses with new nasal sprays every two to three minutes. There is no limit to how much Narcan you can administer as it is a very safe medication and you cannot overdose from it.
Narcan is a very important medication that should always be on hand, as it makes all the difference in potentially saving lives. It’s important to be aware of the dangers of drug use and how to use Narcan, and finally, as Jones said, “Don’t do drugs.”
