Narcan added to AED boxes on campus
Students in SUNY Geneseo should take notice of the automated external defibrillator (AED) boxes located in the buildings on campus. After fighting a nine-month battle for approval, Pamela Kosmowski, the Addiction Counseling and Prevention Program Coordinator, has succeeded in shaping a safer campus: Starting on Oct. 13, every AED box on campus will include Narcan.
Before using Narcan, it is helpful to understand its purpose. Naloxone (Narcan) is an
opioid antagonist that reverses opioid overdose. It prevents the opioids from going deep into the brain, blocking their effects and restoring the person's breathing. Narcan works for about 30-90 minutes and has no risk factors if accidentally given to someone without opioids in their system.
Opioids are commonly recognized as prescription pain relievers, heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, codeine, and morphine. During an overdose, opioids repress the urge to breathe, ultimately slowing one’s breathing to potentially lethal levels; when carbon dioxide levels increase, breathing will completely stop. The lack of oxygen can potentially cause brain damage and the overdose may result in death.
When it comes to an overdose, there is time to respond, but no time to waste.
Identifying the symptoms of an overdose is integral to saving a life. The signs of an overdose are clear when a person is: unresponsive, not breathing (takes less than ten breaths a minute), snoring while gurgling, and blue or ashen in color. If you’re at a party or dorm and notice someone displaying the signs of an opioid overdose, don’t panic: ask bystanders for information. Knowing what the person injected, ingested, or inhaled, when they did it, and whether there was more than one substance will clear confusion and allow you to act. Moreover, make sure to call Geneseo First Response (GFR) before administering Narcan.
When administering Narcan, hold the nozzle between your fingers before placing the plunger into the patient’s nose. Be sure you’re aiming it up and back before pushing in the plunger. Repeat in three to five minutes if there is no effect. After administration, roll the patient to their side to keep their airway clear.
If you’re participating in the use of illegal substances and notice a friend showing symptoms of an overdose, don’t be afraid to act. According to the Good Samaritan Law, legal protection is offered to those who give aid to another during an emergency. When it comes to an opioid overdose, hesitation can be lethal to the one in need. Recall that there are no negative effects in administering Narcan to a body void of opioids.
Because of the severe consequences of an opioid overdose, the addition of Narcan to the AED boxes on campus could potentially save a life. Protect yourself and others by familiarizing yourself with the location of the AED boxes on campus, the symptoms of an opioid overdose, and how to use Narcan. Remember to inform others about Narcan on campus to preserve a healthy and safe community.
In the event of any alcohol or drug emergency, call 911 or contact GFR: 585-245-5222. If you have any questions pertaining to Narcan and/or opioids, contact @pkosmowski@geneseo.edu. She also offers services to those struggling with substance abuse.
Thumbnail via Lamron Photo Editor FP Zatlukal