Surviving an opioid overdose may soon depend on where you live

[DGUtley]

Surviving an opioid overdose may soon depend on where you live.

In southwest Ohio, people die from drug overdoses at more than double the national rate. In the future, whether someone survives could hinge on what county they are in. The sheriff in Butler County this summer declared that his officers wouldn’t carry medication to reverse overdoses. In neighboring Hamilton County, which includes Cincinnati, officials are taking the opposite approach. They want to create the Narcan capital of America, putting more than 30,000 doses of the opioid-overdose reversal spray in the hands of Ohioans ready to use it. The contrast between these approaches mirrors the national debate over how to deal with a drug crisis that killed 33,000 Americans in 2015, a tally expected to increase. The epidemic began years ago as doctors started to liberally prescribe opioid painkillers such as oxycodone. As addiction and abuse rose, the medical industry began to tighten access, driving up street prices. Drug cartels saw an opportunity and flooded U.S. cities with cheap heroin, a common substitute

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/n...-live-20170914

[stjames1_53]

Surviving an opioid overdose may soon depend on where you live.

In southwest Ohio, people die from drug overdoses at more than double the national rate. In the future, whether someone survives could hinge on what county they are in. The sheriff in Butler County this summer declared that his officers wouldn’t carry medication to reverse overdoses. In neighboring Hamilton County, which includes Cincinnati, officials are taking the opposite approach. They want to create the Narcan capital of America, putting more than 30,000 doses of the opioid-overdose reversal spray in the hands of Ohioans ready to use it. The contrast between these approaches mirrors the national debate over how to deal with a drug crisis that killed 33,000 Americans in 2015, a tally expected to increase. The epidemic began years ago as doctors started to liberally prescribe opioid painkillers such as oxycodone. As addiction and abuse rose, the medical industry began to tighten access, driving up street prices. Drug cartels saw an opportunity and flooded U.S. cities with cheap heroin, a common substitute

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/n...-live-20170914

meh...........that's why I never dabbled with man-made chemicals.......well, maybe a drink or two

[Common]

Is there not legal ramifications for Police carrying antidotes for overdose DG? For example if an officer doesnt administer the dose on time because of whatever, does that open him to lawsuits and the locality. Also what if a Police Officer administers the dose and they die anyway. We both know that anyone can sue over a ham sandwich or less.

Another point to be made here thats a bit off topic if I may indulge, no matter what drug you make legal, street drugs will sell cheaper

[Chris]

You can't just let people die if there's something easily available to save them.

Make the addict do community service for the cost, something around $135.

[donttread]

Surviving an opioid overdose may soon depend on where you live.

In southwest Ohio, people die from drug overdoses at more than double the national rate. In the future, whether someone survives could hinge on what county they are in. The sheriff in Butler County this summer declared that his officers wouldn’t carry medication to reverse overdoses. In neighboring Hamilton County, which includes Cincinnati, officials are taking the opposite approach. They want to create the Narcan capital of America, putting more than 30,000 doses of the opioid-overdose reversal spray in the hands of Ohioans ready to use it. The contrast between these approaches mirrors the national debate over how to deal with a drug crisis that killed 33,000 Americans in 2015, a tally expected to increase. The epidemic began years ago as doctors started to liberally prescribe opioid painkillers such as oxycodone. As addiction and abuse rose, the medical industry began to tighten access, driving up street prices. Drug cartels saw an opportunity and flooded U.S. cities with cheap heroin, a common substitute

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/n...-live-20170914

Unelect the $#@!! There is little if any down side to narcan. It can save lives, not always if fentnol is involved, but it can save many lives. Further , there is little down side, if your given it and it wasn't an opiate OD it apparently doesn't hurt you.
There is no reason to not carry it.
Vivitrol may be a partial answer for those who want to be clean as well.

[DGUtley]

Is there not legal ramifications for Police carrying antidotes for overdose DG? For example if an officer doesnt administer the dose on time because of whatever, does that open him to lawsuits and the locality. Also what if a Police Officer administers the dose and they die anyway. We both know that anyone can sue over a ham sandwich or less.

1. Ohio has a good Samaritan law.
2. Police officers are immune for negligence in Ohio

[Common]

1. Ohio has a good Samaritan law.
2. Police officers are immune for negligence in Ohio

Well damn, I wish they were immune on the east coast

[donttread]

1. Ohio has a good Samaritan law.
2. Police officers are immune for negligence in Ohio

Even here in the real upsatte NY there are communities that are very aggressive about giving police EMS and families the tools and legal status they need to save lives.

[DGUtley]

I would be curious to find out what the reason is. I have norcan at home b/c my Pharmacist daughter brought it to my house with the instructions to keep it there b/c you never know if someone in the neighborhood might need it. So, Mrs. U and I keep it.

[Chris]

If you subscribe to Netflix there's a short documentary on the heroin epidemic in Huntington, West Virginia, and some part on Narcan.