Harm Reduction and Heroin

Naloxone is known as a heroin or morphine overdose reversal. It is a prescription medicine that blocks the effects of opioids and reverses an overdose. It can be injected into the muscle, vein or under the skin or sprayed into the nose. It is usually administered by a medical professional but can be used by someone with minimal training. The most effective way to reverse an overdose with naloxone is by using the spray in the nose due to the higher concentration.

Naloxone should never be used in place of medical attention when someone is having an overdose. Without opioids in a person’s body, naloxone will have no effect. Naloxone also known as Narcan has become more broadly supported and has grasped the attention of media since the FDA approved it for sale as a nasal spray in November 2015.

One story that caught the attention of many headlines took place in Philadelphia to a man named Michael Charles Meeney, who was arrested for a misdemeanor heroin possession charge. Meeney was recorded on the bus camera shooting up heroin and then passing out onto the floor of a crowded bus. A police officer was on camera applying naloxone to the Meeney’s body while he lay unconscious on the floor. After the video was released, it quickly went viral.

Many police officers are given the naloxone nasal spray to carry with them in an emergency such as Michael Meeney’s. Michael was arrested as soon as he was up and charged for possessing 4 baggies of heroin. He remains in jail awaiting a formal arraignment on March 30.

Naloxone is one of the many forms of harm reduction out there. While naloxone is an excellent way of preventing unnecessary deaths due to an opiate overdose, long term treatment is recommended for most struggling with a serious addiction such as heroin or other opiates. It is for this reason we urge you to call us today for help getting your loved one the treatment they need.