MYTH: If I get caught carrying naloxone (Narcan) by the police, I will get in trouble

Not true!! Naloxone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. Anyone can carry this medicine on them, and you will not get in trouble for carrying it!

MYTH DEBUNKING

MYTH: If I give someone naloxone (Narcan), I can get in legal trouble for administering it without their consent. 

There is a law called the Good Samaritan Law which exists to protect individuals from legal consequences when they voluntarily offer aid to those in distress. Their actions must be in good faith and reasonable under the circumstances. If you administer Narcan in an attempt to save someone’s life, you will be protected under the law.

MYTH: If I give someone Narcan who is not overdosing from opioids, I can hurt them.

“Giving someone naloxone who does not have opioids in their system shouldn’t hurt them, but it could help them and save their life.” Naloxone works by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and by restoring breathing so it will not have any effect on people who don’t have opioids in their system. It is always better to be safe than sorry; if you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately and give naloxone if you have access to it! 

MYTH: Only professionals can determine if someone has overdosed and are trained to give naloxone.

There are many ways for any bystander to determine if someone has overdosed, including assessing the person for pale and clammy skin, limp body, inability to be woken by shaking the person and calling their name, blue fingernails or lips, vomiting or gurgling, and/or pinpoint pupils. Additionally, all naloxone packages have instructions on the packaging about how to administer naloxone, but if you remember just one thing, remember to call 911 and administer the naloxone in the patient’s nose.