Katz opened the door, detected a faint pulse, and shot the nasal opioid-reversal drug naloxone (identified by way of the emblem identify Narcan) into the person’s nostril. Then he administered CPR. The person survived.A couple of million American citizens weren’t so fortunate.American citizens are being killed by way of medication laced with the bogus opioid fentanyl. However the excellent news is, naloxone, which will opposite fentanyl’s deathly impact, is now to be had without spending a dime in Georgia, and any individual can get it. Drug trying out kits, to be had for a nominal charge at some pharmacies, too can assist other folks keep away from overdose deaths.Credit score: Michael Scaturro
Credit score: Michael ScaturroAbout 97,000 American citizens died from opioid overdoses in 2024, in keeping with the Nationwide Institutes of Well being. That’s double the quantity of people that had been killed that very same yr in automotive crashes, in keeping with the Facilities for Illness Regulate and Prevention.Opioid deaths within the U.S. jumped 103% from 2017 to 2024, the NIH discovered, however fell 14% from 2023-2024.In Georgia, opioid-related overdose deaths higher by way of 207% from 2010-2020, in keeping with the Georgia Division of Well being (DPH).Chattooga, Bibb, Spalding, Carroll and Richmond counties had the perfect charges of overdose in December 2024. Nearly all of overdose sufferers had been white, break up virtually calmly amongst women and men, DPH discovered.Overdose by way of fentanyl accounts for 70% of deaths, the CDC stated.Fentanyl is utilized in hospitals to regard persistent serious ache or serious ache following surgical procedure. It is usually hired by way of drug cartels to chop prices, since fentanyl is cost effectively sourced from China, and 100 occasions stronger than morphine, the pharmaceutical-grade model of heroin.Katz says many IV drug customers were spared as a result of they have got realized to check heroin for fentanyl earlier than capturing up.
Credit score: Michael Scaturro
Credit score: Michael ScaturroBut informal drug customers don’t essentially have that have and feature been killed by way of birthday party medication like cocaine and capsules laced with opioids like fentanyl, Katz stated.About 42% of capsules examined for fentanyl contained a minimum of 2 mg of drug, which is thought of as a doubtlessly deadly dose, in keeping with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Management. The DEA didn’t specify which yr its checks had been carried out, or the pattern measurement.In 2022, Katz led a lobbying marketing campaign to develop get admission to to naloxone and trying out kits, which ultimately ended in Georgia’s unfastened Narcan/naloxone program.Ultimate April, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a invoice that may permit any individual in colleges to own and administer naloxone.Trying out kits price about $10 each and every, and are to be had for fentanyl and xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer that has been present in some medication and too can purpose demise.Prevent HIV Atlanta gives unfastened fentanyl check strips by means of its web site, Pharmacies like Katz’s additionally promote the check strips and distribute unfastened Narcan/naloxone nasal sprays.Katz says too few other folks find out about those lifesaving interventions, and he desires extra pharmacies to provide all 3 pieces.“I will be able to’t inform you what number of people have come again right here and instructed me they used it on any individual and stored a lifestyles,” he stated. “Take a look at earlier than you employ.” get admission to unfastened Narcan/naloxone in Georgia: