Narcan saves lives
I agree Narcan is the last line of defense to saving an overdosed addict’s life, and that our attention needs to turn away from Narcan and more towards preventative measures that can stop drug abuse.
Having the antidote available to state police, school districts, and now county jails is giving a safety blanket for drug abusers. If one knows their life can be saved, then why not test the drug’s limits to experience a more euphoric high? An online Narcan fact sheet showed that the Narcan safety-kit available to first-responders cost roughly $20 to $40. In comparison, an overdose death will cost taxpayers roughly $30,000. Yes, Narcan is saving lives, but it also saves money.
In 2015, Washington County experienced 38 deaths related to heroin overdoses, and so far in 2016 there has been eight deaths related to heroin. The only way to treat an epidemic is to cure the root of the problem, to stop it before it ever starts.
As a local nurse, I experience patients overdosing on narcotics more often than I would like. As Greene County President Judge Toothman said, Narcan represents “an opportunity to save a life.” Yes, Narcan does save lives, but we need to save the lives of these abusers by preventing them from becoming addicted and funding organizations and programs that are out there to help.
Erik Sevcik
Bentleyville