Preparedness and Response with Naloxone Speaker: Steven Dunn, Ohio Department of Health

By

Taiwo AKINLAMI

Steven Dunn, a public health consultant from the Ohio Department of Health’s Community Harm Reduction Program, concluded the training by discussing preparedness and response strategies for opioid overdoses using naloxone. Dunn’s session focused on how to effectively recognize an overdose, administer naloxone, and understand the legal protections that come with helping others in an overdose situation.

Understanding Naloxone

Dunn began by explaining the basics of naloxone, often known by its brand name Narcan. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses by blocking the opioids from brain receptors. However, naloxone’s effects last only 30 to 90 minutes, while an opioid overdose can last much longer. For this reason, naloxone kits typically come with two doses to ensure that individuals can be revived if the overdose reoccurs while waiting for medical assistance.

He highlighted three different methods of administering naloxone:

1. Intranasal Spray – The most common form, easy to use and widely available.
2. Intramuscular or Subcutaneous Injection – Administered via a syringe.
3. Intravenous Injection – Typically used by medical professionals in hospitals.

Recognizing the Signs of an Overdose

Dunn emphasized the importance of recognizing the symptoms of an overdose, which can include:

• Unresponsiveness, even to a sternal rub (rubbing the knuckles on the chest).
• Slow or irregular breathing, or no breathing at all.
• Blue or purplish nails and lips.
• Vomiting or choking.
• Pinpoint pupils (small, constricted pupils).
• Seizures or convulsions.

He stressed that recognizing these signs early and acting quickly can save lives.

Steps to Take During an Overdose

Dunn provided a clear, step-by-step guide on how to respond to an opioid overdose:

1. Administer Naloxone First – Begin by giving naloxone immediately if someone appears to be overdosing. Do not wait for EMS to arrive before administering the drug.
2. Call 911 – After giving the first dose, call emergency services so that professional medical help is on the way.
3. Provide Rescue Breathing – If the individual isn’t breathing or breathing is shallow, provide rescue breaths (one breath every five to six seconds) to get oxygen into their system.
4. Administer a Second Dose if Needed – If the person doesn’t wake up after two to five minutes, administer a second dose of naloxone.

Monitor the Person – Once the person regains consciousness, continue monitoring them, as they might become disoriented or upset.

Dunn warned that individuals may be agitated or upset after being revived, as naloxone rapidly reverses the effects of opioids, taking away the “high” they paid for. He advised stepping back once the individual wakes up to ensure safety.

Good Samaritan Law

The Good Samaritan Law in Ohio provides legal protection to individuals who assist someone during an overdose. This law shields the person administering naloxone from being charged with minor drug possession offenses. However, Dunn cautioned that this protection is limited to possession of drugs and does not extend to other illegal activities, such as firearms offenses. He also noted that the law only applies twice per person and that the language used when calling 911 should focus on the emergency at hand, avoiding stigmatizing terms like “overdose.”

Recovery Position

In cases where you need to leave the person temporarily, such as if you are going to guide emergency responders to the scene, Dunn recommended placing the individual in the recovery position. This position ensures that if the person vomits, they won’t choke. He demonstrated the recovery position, where the person is placed on their side with their head resting on an extended arm, and their knees bent to stabilize their body.

Naloxone Access in Ohio

Dunn discussed Ohio’s commitment to making naloxone readily available. The state has naloxone stocked in all rest areas, and the Department of Transportation has installed naloxone cabinets in public places. He encouraged schools and community centers to install naloxone emergency cabinets for after-school events and activities, noting that schools have become community hubs hosting many public gatherings.

He assured the audience that naloxone is safe and non-invasive. “You can give naloxone to anyone, and if they don’t have opioids in their system, the worst that might happen is they get a headache. But if they are overdosing, you’ll save their life.”

Final Takeaways

As the session wrapped up, Dunn emphasized the importance of carrying naloxone personally, noting that opioid overdoses can happen anywhere and to anyone, regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic background. With fentanyl contaminating many drug supplies, overdoses are increasingly common, even from non-opioid substances.

Dunn closed by encouraging attendees to take advantage of Ohio’s wide availability of naloxone. If local programs aren’t available, individuals can order naloxone by mail through statewide resources.

Key Points to Remember:

• Act quickly in the event of an overdose: administer naloxone, call 911, and continue monitoring the person.
• Good Samaritan protections ensure you won’t face legal repercussions for minor drug possession when helping someone during an overdose.
• Schools and community centers can request naloxone cabinets to be installed for public safety.
• Naloxone is safe and accessible, and it should be part of everyone’s emergency preparedness toolkit.

With that, Dunn left attendees with resources on where to find naloxone and how to get involved with the Ohio Department of Health’s programs. He also made naloxone kits and information available to attendees at the back of the room, encouraging everyone to take advantage of these life-saving tools.

As the training wrapped up, the room was filled with a sense of empowerment, with educators and community members better equipped to face the opioid crisis head-on.

Taiwo AKINLAMI is the Curator-in-Chief of the S.A.F.E for Children® Information Bank, Ohio, a project of power parenting Company LLC (http://www.powerparentingcompany.com/)