Keep Narcan in your home … and maybe your car

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anyone who doubts they need to take this seriously: I’m a 50 year old getting my masters degree in social work and I’m shocked at stories my fellow students interning at hospitals have shared with me. 3 Highlights based on true stories:

1) Cannabis when vaped (most common form of consumption by teens since it leave little odor and no smoke) is cut with chemicals commonly found in windex which over time can be toxic. Teens present with migraines and nausea.

2) Cannabis can be also used as an addictive in potato chips. A group of middle schoolers from an affluent suburb ended up in they ER bc they unknowingly ate chips covered in cannabis (true story I promise, not urban myth)

3) Most drugs these days are laced with fentanyl. And some are now being laced with elephant tranquilizer. Pills often come in bright primary colors. These can be toxic especially for younger teens.

I have teens. I have been talking to them about this.

Confused — is fentanyl a concern with the cannabis use you describe?

Not PP, but I know of an overdose today, from a student who thought they were vaping cannabis cartridges. It was laced with fentanyl. Luckily action was taken very quickly.

Another yes. Cannabis can now be laced with fentanyl or other dangerous chemicals. Pot today is not the pot from our childhoods.

[Anonymous]

Just be aware that after administering narcan, some folks come out of their overdose fighting.

[Anonymous]

They should have side tables at the covid vaccine and flu shot centers.

[Anonymous]

This is a timely article from WJLA about Narcan.

https://wjla.com/news/local/opioid-fentanyl-overdoses-naloxone-narcan-fairfax-falls-church-community-services-board-seeing-increased-interest-in-revive-training-to-prevent-prince-georges-county-public-schools-10th-grader-us-drug-enforcement-administration?fbclid=IwAR3T0uwzM1F1cMMAPEezgaEQe8xsBIygysO_89nlu6GzSgPp3lonsBmkXy0&fs=e&s=cl

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you come across an unconscious person, when do you try CPR and when do you use Narcan?

You don’t perform CPR on an unconscious person unless they are not breathing. In many cases, compressions only are fine. You would look for signs that an opioid was taken. 911 can walk you though this.

Thank you.

OK so the article says this: “Narcan should be used immediately on anyone who is totally unresponsive.” But really if it’s someone unresponsive AND not breathing, then you do CPR and call 911 and see what they say? Also how could the mom in this story be sure her son wasn’t choking and needed Heimlich maneuver when she heard those noises?

[Anonymous]

I keep Narcan in my car first aid kit. It’s free at the pharmacy. I’m a hospice chaplain, so I’m around a lot of very strong medication. Unfortunately, those meds are sometimes stolen, usually by family members. If I’m ever in a position to help someone, I want to be able to do so.

[Anonymous]

Virtual trainings are available:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/heroin-opioids/revive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virtual trainings are available:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/heroin-opioids/revive

REVIVE! trains individuals on what to do and not do in an overdose situation, how to administer naloxone, and what to do afterwards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi! I am the author of this Slate piece, and also a dad in Arlington. Thanks to the OP for linking to it. I really urge everyone, especially people who doubt the claims of people in this thread, to read it. Narcan is quite easy to get all over the DC area; in Washington, DC, for example, city government lists dozens of free pickup sites:
https://dbh.dc.gov/page/where-can-i-get-naloxone-dc

The one thing I'd add, though, is that most trainers will recommend you do not keep it in your car, as Narcan does degrade in heat. Keep it in a bag or purse and bring it with you, and keep it in your house.

Thanks for reading, everyone!

Just wanted to say thank you, Dan, for this article. It's super helpful because it provides a path to actions we can take as parents of teens. I am terrified of the recent stories that have come out about fentanyl in drugs. I went through a rebellious phase as a teen and definitely took pills whose provenance I was completely clueless about.

(Also, I have been a fan of yours since I read your book How to be a Family - I still think of it sometimes!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anyone who doubts they need to take this seriously: I’m a 50 year old getting my masters degree in social work and I’m shocked at stories my fellow students interning at hospitals have shared with me. 3 Highlights based on true stories:

1) Cannabis when vaped (most common form of consumption by teens since it leave little odor and no smoke) is cut with chemicals commonly found in windex which over time can be toxic. Teens present with migraines and nausea.

2) Cannabis can be also used as an addictive in potato chips. A group of middle schoolers from an affluent suburb ended up in they ER bc they unknowingly ate chips covered in cannabis (true story I promise, not urban myth)

3) Most drugs these days are laced with fentanyl. And some are now being laced with elephant tranquilizer. Pills often come in bright primary colors. These can be toxic especially for younger teens.

I have teens. I have been talking to them about this.

Confused — is fentanyl a concern with the cannabis use you describe?

Not PP, but I know of an overdose today, from a student who thought they were vaping cannabis cartridges. It was laced with fentanyl. Luckily action was taken very quickly.

Another yes. Cannabis can now be laced with fentanyl or other dangerous chemicals. Pot today is not the pot from our childhoods.

This is another reason why marijuana should never have been legalized.

Plus, it’s a gateway drug that leads many to fentanyl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For anyone who doubts they need to take this seriously: I’m a 50 year old getting my masters degree in social work and I’m shocked at stories my fellow students interning at hospitals have shared with me. 3 Highlights based on true stories:

1) Cannabis when vaped (most common form of consumption by teens since it leave little odor and no smoke) is cut with chemicals commonly found in windex which over time can be toxic. Teens present with migraines and nausea.

2) Cannabis can be also used as an addictive in potato chips. A group of middle schoolers from an affluent suburb ended up in they ER bc they unknowingly ate chips covered in cannabis (true story I promise, not urban myth)

3) Most drugs these days are laced with fentanyl. And some are now being laced with elephant tranquilizer. Pills often come in bright primary colors. These can be toxic especially for younger teens.

I have teens. I have been talking to them about this.

Marijuana should never have been “legalized.”

It is still illegal under the CSA, and federal law trumps state law in every state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child would never do drugs, nor would anyone we associate with.

+1 we don’t have enough money for my kid to even buy drugs. Not a concern here.

[Anonymous]

PG has free training and naloxone available through the health department. Three children recently died in the county from fentanyl overdoses. I don't think my kid will do drugs but it isn't outside the realm of possibilities and I can't think of any reason not to have Narcan in the house/car.
Even the brightest kids make stupid decisions.

https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/2958/Overdose-Response-Training?fbclid=IwAR1Mw1a0A4t00QSIUTB-LpahQw9lkqVUqabRXpuGIplAqJnsHDw2DKF8n1U

[Anonymous]

Montgomery County info, training and free narcan

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/opioids/save-a-life.html

[Anonymous]

https://nextdistro.org/naloxone

There is currently a shortage...