Heroin use is on the rise in North Carolina. According to WNCN News, deaths from heroin overdoses from 2010 to 2013 increased by 480%! The heroin epidemic has affected virtually every class and race demographic within the state, including youth in our own backyard.
The use of this illicit drug has grown increasingly popular and dangerous. So much so that heroin related deaths have caught the attention of both lawmakers and medical responders. In an effort to save lives, a prescription drug called Naloxone (nah-lox-own) is being used to reverse the effects of an overdose.
FOX 46 Charlotte covered the story:
Here’s the scoop:
A law passed at the end of 2013 allows Naloxone, a prescription drug capable of reversing a heroin overdose, to be obtained without first seeing a doctor.
According to Drugs.com, it is capable of blocking and reversing the effects of opioid medication. It can even reverse slowed breathing, extreme drowsiness, or loss of consciousness. The best part is that it is not addictive and does not have dangerous side effects.
Making a Difference in Charlotte
Doctors, emergency responders, and law enforcement are joining forces to help prevent drug overdoses in Charlotte. They are seeking public help in preventing and treating potential drug users with overdose recovery kits.
As Naloxone becomes more readily accessible to the public, residents of The Queen City are able to make a difference in the war against drug related deaths. The drug is currently being prescribed by a doctor to volunteers who are trained on how to give the medication during a suspected overdose.
The consensus amongst lawmakers, medical personal, and drug enforcement is that overdoses in the state are becoming an epidemic. Heroin addiction and drug overdoses are quickly becoming the number one cause of death throughout North Carolina.
Although tighter restrictions on drug enforcement are inevitable, drug use and overdose prevention programs are becoming more accessible across the state.
Naloxone Could Reach Over the Counter Status
According to breaking news just covered by ABC News, Naloxone will soon be made available over the counter in Australia. As the usefulness of overdose reversal kits becomes more readily visibly, it is likely Naloxone will one day reach over the counter status in the United States.
Until then, the accessibility to overdose recovery kits is only a start. Drug education is an invaluable tool now being leveraged throughout our state. It starts at home with parents who talk to their children about the effects and dangers of illicit drugs like heroin, and it encompasses furthered education in school and through second chance programs like Drug Education School.
The Good Samaritan Law Has Been Updated
The reality of heroin related deaths has forced lawmakers to update the Good Samaritan Law. North Carolina has included protection for those who were assisting with an overdose. This includes administering Naloxone and seeking immediate medical attention.
The best way to prevent a drug overdose is to know the signs and get help. If you or someone you know suffers from addiction to heroin or any other drug, it is okay to seek assistance. No one will judge you, but they will help save a life, even if it is your own.