2.4.3

2.4.3

Narcotics/Opioids

The dangers posed by these particular drugs is so severe, that they deserve their own section. However, many substances classified as narcotics or opioids are also included on the list that we presented above. If you pay any attention at all to the local or national news, you have likely heard the term “opioid epidemic.” Opioids and narcotics are, in effect, the same thing. But before we continue, consider this:

“Narcotic” comes from the Greek word “Narke” – numbness or stupor. That should tell you much of what you need to know about narcotics.

Narcotics/opioids, when used as intended, are for treating pain. You may have heard of some of these potent substances that are available by prescription – Oxy Contin, Vicodin, codeine, morphine – but being available by prescription does NOT make them any less dangerous. The problem with opioids is they are highly addictive. Many individuals have actually gotten dependent on one of these pain killers as a result of having undergone some medical procedure that required the use of pain killers “post op.” Without warning, the patient suddenly needs more of something to ease their pain and then more and then more. If a physician does not recognize a potential problem and continues to dole out these drugs, the patient ends up becoming dependent or even experiencing addiction.

Lately, opioid use has caused the deaths of thousands of people due to accidental overdose. Many of these particular cases are not as a result of medical treatment; tragically, it is a result of someone taking these pills as a form of recreation – to feel good – without considering the deadly consequences.

Any medication, when taken in excess, can kill you, but opioids can get you hooked very easily even when you are taking them legitimately for pain relief. If you are suffering from some kind of pain, NEVER accept one of these pain killers from another individual unless it’s a doctor who has written a prescription for you. There are plenty of over the counter medications that offer pain relief (and if they don’t work, then consider seeing a doctor).

Preliminary statistics for 2023 and 2024 actually show a predicted drop of 18.24% in opioid deaths in Alabama from 1,645 (2023) to 1,345 (2024). On the surface, this may seem like something to be excited about, but these are still staggering numbers for deaths that should never have occurred.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm

Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid Use Disorder – OUD – is an actual term used for someone addicted to opioids, including but not limited to heroin, codeine, oxycodone, morphine, and Fentanyl. An individual afflicted with OUD has the following characteristics:

  • Someone who constantly craves relief by taking opioids.
  • Someone who cannot stop using opioids even after experiencing physical or psychological problems and deterioration of the body/mind.
  • Someone whose body develops increasing tolerance for opioids (and so needs more and more as they continue their opioid use to get the high they need).
  • Someone who experiences withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using opioids. It is likely that this individual would need medical supervision to be able to get off opioids. Stopping cold turkey on your own is unlikely to be successful.

Someone with OUD is certainly at risk of overdosing especially if they are not concerned with how or from where they get their opioids. Please keep in mind that prescription drugs are not the only substances considered as opioids. Heroin and methadone fall into this category –

….and then there’s Fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it’s 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical Fentanyl is used to treat pain but is still something that can lead to addiction or worse. However, it’s the illegal Fentanyl that is killing United States citizens by the thousands. This powder or liquid is added to other drugs to give them heroin like effects while keeping them affordable on the illegal drug market. The problem is that illegal Fentanyl is so potent that just a little can cause an individual to overdose. Do you think those who produce this illegal substance are worried about how much Fentanyl they put in pills that are sold as something else? This is why so many recreational users or those who think they are purchasing legitimate pain killers (without a prescription? That’s not legitimate) end up overdosing, many losing their lives. Again the CDC states that 70% of overdose deaths are caused by synthetic opioids. One of the chief reasons is that you cannot taste or smell Fentanyl, so there is no way to detect it without using a test strip. These test strips are inexpensive paper strips that can show the presence of Fentanyl in drugs. This is to help prevent accidental overdoses, but it is in no way an excuse for taking drugs once you test them and decide that they are “safe.”

https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/caring/fentanyl-facts.html

Some Sobering Statistics Hit Home

In 2021, there were 1,408 overdose deaths in Alabama. Nine hundred eighty one, or 70%, were caused by opioids. The other 30%, or four hundred twenty seven, were non opioid overdose deaths. And remember, it’s not just about 1,408 individuals who lost their lives. The effect of these overdose deaths is far reaching. Consider parents or siblings or classmates or workmates or friends who lost someone close to them. Consider the first responders or the hospital staff who were unable to save these victims. Do you think they are impacted by seeing another individual lose their life? Do you think their pain of witnessing these losses rubs off a bit on their families?

Nationwide, there are about 150 overdose deaths every day – all caused by Fentanyl or some other synthetic opioid.

Two milligrams of Fentanyl is enough to be lethal. Do you know how much 2 milligrams is? It’s about 1/8 of a teaspoon. Some time when you have a chance, take a look at a teaspoon and see how much (or little to be more accurate) 1/8 of that teaspoon is.

NEVER order prescription pain killers on line especially if you do not have a prescription or if you are buying them from an individual and not a reputable pharmaceutical website. And here is a great tip: If a web based pharmacy is selling opioids on line, then they are probably operating illegally. You should not be able to buy opioids on the Internet, and, if you do, you are at the mercy of whomever produced these synthetic substances. Remember, you cannot taste or smell Fentanyl; consequently, you have no clue as to how much is in whatever you buy.

Naloxone and Narcan

Maybe you have heard of Narcan but not Naloxone? Well, these substances are one in the same. Narcan is just one of a number of brand names for Naloxone. This substance is available in all 50 U.S. states and, when administered properly, can save the life of an individual who is overdosing on opioids. Please take a moment to carefully review the information that follows. If you or someone you know has experienced opioid use, this information can be life-saving. And once again, avoiding these opioid substances completely is always your best option:

  • Naloxone can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose because it blocks the harmful effects of opioids. While Naloxone is the name of the actual product, the more commonly known Narcan is just one brand name for Naloxone.
  • Naloxone can restore an overdose victim’s breathing to normal, oftentimes in less than three minutes. In more serious cases, it may be necessary to administer an additional dose of Naloxone to the victim.
  • Naloxone can be administered by injecting it into a victim’s muscle or by administering the more common nasal spray. Anybody can administer this product; generally, there is no required special training or authorization to possess Naloxone (in Alabama you must take an online training course before the state will mail Naloxone to you. You’ll read more about this and see a link in just a bit).
  • If you administer Naloxone to a victim, remain with them until emergency responders arrive. If emergency responders are not called, someone must remain with the victim for at least 4 hours.
  • If you administer Naloxone to a victim who is not actually overdosing on opioids (but they are OD’ing on some other substance), the Naloxone should not harm them.
  • Many people equate carrying Naloxone with carrying an Epi Pen; both are used to treat someone with potentially fatal symptoms and conditions.
  • Most overdose deaths – a full 80% – occur inside of someone’s home.
  • When a victim dies from an overdose, there is a 40% chance that other people are with that victim.
  • Naloxone is available in all 50 states; in most states, you can obtain it at a pharmacy without a prescription. Some local communities may have programs that provide Naloxone.
  • It is very likely that a person who overdoses once will overdose again.

How Can I Tell if Someone Might Be Overdosing on Opioids?

There are a number of things you can look for to determine if someone might be overdosing on opioids. Right off the bat, watch to see if the person seems to be falling asleep or even becoming unconscious. Do they appear slow or weak? Has their body gone limp? Is their skin discolored or cold and clammy? If you look into their eyes are the pupils constricted….really small? And, in the worst of cases, have they begun to choke or make gurgling sounds? These are all signs of a potential opioid overdose.

So, What Do I Do Now?

First off, you or someone you designate should call 911. If you or someone with you has Narcan/Naloxone, administer it to the victim and try to keep them conscious/awake. If you lay them on their side, that will help to prevent them from choking. It is critical that someone stays with the victim until emergency responders arrive (or for at least four hours if, for some reason, nobody calls 911).

https://www.cdc.gov/ore/pdf/Naloxone-Fact-Sheet-508.pdf

We hope you can see the value of this life saving product. Is it something everybody should carry? Not necessarily. Should YOU carry it? It depends. Do you know anyone who takes opioids or might be in danger of over dosing? Do you frequent places where someone you might not even know could suffer the consequences of an overdose? Would you even recognize the signs of someone who is over dosing? We hope you will now. Carefully consider these questions to determine if you might want to have quick access to Naloxone in the event of an overdose emergency (NOT YOU – hopefully by now, you are determined to avoid opioids at all costs).

Naloxone is NOT a Crutch!!

Do you think it is possible that some individuals might look at the widespread availability of Naloxone products as a reason not to seek help for opioid dependency? After all, if they get into trouble, someone close by will likely be able to administer a life-saving dose of Naloxone. This may sound silly to you – we sincerely hope it does – but to an individual looking for reasons not to get off opioids, it might make perfect sense. After all, you know that their good judgement is very likely diminished. Just because this product – Naloxone – is widely available does not mean there will always be someone close by to use it to save a life; that is a reality that many people, especially those hooked on opioids may not consider.

If you have any interest in carrying Naloxone, you cannot just buy it at your local pharmacy. You can get a kit mailed to you from the State, but you must take an on line training program before you can receive it. This is a screenshot from the link located directly below the image.

https://mh.alabama.gov/faq/standing-order-for-naloxone/

HB 208 is a Good Samaritan Law. Just what does that mean? You cannot be prosecuted for administering Naloxone to someone who is overdosing. Depending on the individual, anything you do may not be enough to save them, and you should never be penalized for trying to save a life.