misanthropy creation: Narcan without prescription to counter opiate overdoes...

This is the snarky journalist side of me. Please excuse my rant, but by all means, read on!

According to the Providence Sunday Journal "CVS Pharmacy announced that it would offer the opiate antidote Narcan without a prescription at all of its 60 pharmacies in Rhode Island by the end of the month". This drug restores breathing during the overdose of opiates like OxyContin and heroin and will be available in nasal spray and injection form.

English: Naloxone HCl preparation, pre-filled Luer-Jet package for intravenous administration. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Apparently in Rhode Island overdosing on drugs has become "one of the most devasting public epidemics to hit" according to the article which you can read here.

I think we can all admit the issue here is that people are taking prescription drugs and becoming addicted to them. Regardless of where these Rx drugs are coming from, my belief is that the root of the problem here is that these drugs are easily obtainable and once you pop the proverbially "fun don't stop". Until your organs shut down and you die.

It is my understanding that the injection or spray is something one can carry with them in case of emergency. Obviously attempts at purchasing to administer in an emergency situation could be fatal. My question is, when was the last time you were walking down the street or in the mall and thought Well damn, I think that person on the ground with lack of breath is ODing on opiates, let me grab my handy dandy nasal spray! Oh shit it's in my other purse...

It doesn't happen!

A clandestine kit containing materials to inject illicit drugs. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What I don't understand is how the availability of Narcan in the public sector will deter anyone from taking Rx drugs in the first place. That is because the answer is that it won't. What it will do is enable addicts to stay addicted or give them sufficient reasoning to take even more addictive drugs. Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that Narcan is not useful, but I do not think that this should be sold over the counter. Cops, paramedics, social workers, hospitals and even school teachers should have this on hand if opiate overdoes is a problem in schools as well. There is a whole slew of individuals that could benefit others by carrying this. One of the people NOT on that list is the addict themselves.

Now you are thinking... Well what about parents? Shouldn't they have access to Narcan in case their child ODs?

In short, NO! If you are a parent and have the smallest inkling of suspicion that your child is taking drugs to where that suspicion leads you out to purchase this antidote then you need to:

1. Talk to your children.

2. Find them the much needed help they need.

English: CVS/pharmacy on Garrett Road in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My reasoning is this: fight addiction at the root of the problem. If Narcan has the slightest chance of enabling someone to do drugs or do more drugs when available to the public than why invest in it at all? There are more beneficial ways in assisting with addiction issues in the community then making something like this available if the mission of CVS is to help individuals with addition issues then they should work with the state and organize their own treatment centers. These centers would be more beneficial because they could provide medical assistance to addicts, help them through the detox process, give them counseling, education and job placement.

In summation, there are much more beneficial ways in assisting with addiction issues in the community then making something like Narcan available. The issue of addiction centers around neglect and drug addiction wont be solved by giving people access to more drugs to counter act the ones they took in the first place. These people need help to get clean, get educated and join the labor force.

September 11, 2014

Narcan without prescription to counter opiate overdoes...

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