Last updated on: 6/1/2020 12:40:31 PM PST
Should the Availability of Naloxone (Narcan) Be Expanded to Help Prevent Opioid Overdoses?
Between 1999 and 2018, there were almost 450,000 opioid overdose deaths from prescription and street drugs. Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist drug that can reverse an opioid overdose if it is administered in time. The drug is available as an injectable, an autoinjectable, and a nasal spray. Only paramedics, ER doctors, and other trained responders may administer the injectable. In some states friends, family members, and other community members are allowed to administer the autoinjectable and the nasal spray. Between 1996 and June 2014, Naloxone reversed over 26,000 opioid overdoses. Increased access to the drug results in 14% fewer opioid deaths, with the possibility to prevent up to 21%.
Sources:
American Medical Association Opioid Task Force, "Help Save Lives: Co-Prescribe Naloxone to Patients at Risk of Overdose," aafp.org, Aug. 2017
CDC, "Understanding the Epidemic,' cdc.gov, Mar. 19, 2020 National Institute on Drug Abuse, "Naloxone for Opioid Overdose: Life-Saving Science," drugabuse.gov, Mar. 2017
National Institute on Drug Abuse, "Opioid Overdose Reversal with Naloxone (Narcan, Evzio)," drugabuse.gov, Feb. 2020
Pro (Yes)
Pro
"Biden will invest $10 billion to provide local communities with the tools needed to prevent overdoses and respond to emergencies emanating from this crisis.
Ensure local communities have a sufficient supply of overdose prevention drugs. Naloxone (also known as Narcan) is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, making it a critical tool in the fight to save lives. Biden will expand grants to states for the purchase of Naloxone to be distributed to local community actors called upon to respond to overdoses, including first responders, public health providers, and the staff at homeless shelters and public libraries. "
Source: Joe Biden, "The Biden Plan to End the Opioid Crisis," joebiden.com (accessed Apr. 27, 2020)
Pro
Yes. Government bureaucrats should never be allowed to stand in the way of individuals and their health choices."
Source: Communication from the Jorgensen campaign to ProCon.org on Aug. 26, 2020
Pro
"The Administration has taken steps to expand the supply of lifesaving naloxone to first responders nationwide.
- There has been a 484 percent increase in naloxone dispensed monthly since President Trump took office.
- Naloxone prescriptions jumped 27 percent immediately following the Surgeon General’s advisory recommending that more Americans carry it.
- The VA alone dispensed 121,448 naloxone prescriptions, used to help 321 veterans during an overdose."
Source: White House, "President Donald J. Trump Is Fighting to End the Opioid Crisis That Has Devastated Too Many American Communities," whitehouse.gov, Apr. 24, 2020
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Not Clearly Pro or Con
"Decriminalization and drug treatment on demand are the best way to stem the epidemic of deaths from opioid overdoses."
Source: Howie Hawkins, "Green Party of Colorado Questionnaire," howiehawkins.us (accessed July 2, 2020)
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