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Overdose Prevention

Restore Breathing

If you or a loved one need help, call 911 and ask for Naloxone. This rescue drug rapidly reverses an opioid overdose by helping a person start breathing again.

Where to get Naloxone in Siskiyou County

About Naloxone

Naloxone is an FDA-approved “rescue drug” that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose by helping a person to start breathing again. The most common form of naloxone available in Siskiyou County is Narcan nasal spray. Naloxone:  

  • only works on opioids, and has no effect on someone who has not taken opioids.
  • cannot be used to get high and is not addictive.
  • has a long safety history, and adverse side effects are rare.
  • can be easily and safely administered by anyone.

How Naloxone Works

Naloxone attaches to the same brain receptors as opioids, but more strongly, kicking off the opioids and “taking over” the receptors. Since opioids attach to the same receptors that control breathing, breathing is restored.

When naloxone wears off in about 60-90 minutes, any opioids still in the brain can return to the receptors, re-attaching to them. The person may stop breathing again and need a second dose, so they need to be closely monitored.

Naloxone overdose prevention

Who Should Carry Naloxone?

Overdoses can happen anywhere: in a parking lot, public restroom, at home, or in a city park. And just as epinephrine is used in emergencies for bee stings, Naloxone is used in emergencies as a lifesaving drug.

overdose prevention together
The U.S. Surgeon General recommends the following people carry naloxone and know how to use it:
 

  • People taking high doses of opioids as prescribed for the management of chronic pain
  • Those taking prescription opioids AND using alcohol or sedating medications
  • People misusing prescription opioids or using illegal opioids such as heroin
  • Anyone with a history of opioid use disorder
  • Those completing opioid detoxification
  • Anyone recently discharged from emergency medical care following an opioid overdose
  • Those being released from incarceration with a history of opioid use
  • Family and friends of people who have opioid use disorder
  • Community members who come into contact with people at risk for opioid overdose

How To Give Naloxone

There are currently two injectable and two intranasal naloxone products available: Evzio and Narcan. Narcan is the easiest to use — there is nothing to mix and one simply inserts the nozzle into a nostril and pushes the plunger.

Narcan nasal spray comes in sets of two, and it is important to keep both on hand as Narcan typically wears off in 60-90 minutes. If the person who has overdosed has taken enough opiates, they may stop breathing again and need the second dose.

View complete instructions on how to give Narcan nasal spray. (PDF)

SIGNS OF OVERDOSE & HOW TO GIVE NARCAN

Opiate Overdose Risk Check

If you use opiates like heroin or prescription pain medicine, you may be at risk of overdose. The Stop Overdose website asks simple questions so you can determine your risk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Naloxone

Is Naloxone safe?

Naloxone is very safe and easy to use. Adverse reactions to naloxone are rare, and it is safe to give to anyone, including children and pregnant women. When naloxone is used on a pregnant woman, there is a risk from miscarriage due to opioid withdrawal. Pregnant women who have overdosed should get medical help right away.
Does it reverse other drugs?
Naloxone will not reverse the effects of other drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, or benzodiazepines (e.g. Xanax®, Klonopin® and Valium®). But naloxone can still block the effect of opioids (and reverse the overdose) even if the person has also taken one or more of these other drugs.
Does the availability of Naloxone encourage people to keep using drugs?

Naloxone is an antidote that restarts breathing. Long-term opioid use alters brain chemistry in such a way that cravings become uncontrollable. It is not a matter of will power. Opioid Use Disorder is the only chronic disease that some think people deserve to die from, though people cannot recover if they are dead.

No one says, “I want to become a drug addict.” Increasing access to Naloxone has decreased the death rate from overdose, allowing people to choose treatment. It has not been shown to increase drug use.

What about getting arrested during at the scene of an overdose?

California’s 911 Good Samaritan Law protects you and the OD victim. When you call 911 for a suspected drug overdose, those at the scene who possess individual amounts of drugs or paraphernalia will be guarded from arrest, charge and prosecution. Overdose prevention is the priority.

This law does not protect those who are on probation, have more drugs on hand than “possession for personal use,” or those who obstruct medical or law enforcement personnel.

Where to Get Naloxone

In an emergency, call 911 right away. Most EMS, law enforcement and fire personnel in Siskiyou County carry Narcan. You can get your own kit. Naloxone is often covered by insurance or available at low or no cost without a prescription. Check out the resources below to see where you can get it.

Your Local Pharmacy

The following pharmacies will provide Narcan without a prescription. Narcan is covered by Medi-Cal.

Your Doctor

Your health care provider can write you a prescription for Narcan.

The Public Health Dept

The public health department provides free Naloxone on a walk-in basis to all community members during their normal hours of business.

Healthy Siskiyou Mobile Unit (HSMU)

This mobile van carries Naloxone for free distribution to the community. Please check with public health to find out the van’s schedule.

Community Resource Centers

Naloxone is available for free to the public at family resource centers.

Yreka Community Resource Center

Scott Valley Community Resource Center

Montague Community Resource Center

Weed Community Resource Center

Mt. Shasta Community Resource Center

McCloud Community Resource Center

Dunsmuir Community Resource Center

Be Prepared. Get Naloxone. Save A Life.