The rate of opioid overdose deaths, among most age groups, has been on the rise in recent years in Maricopa County — and most of those deaths were classified as unintentional. It’s one reason why the city of Tempe is making it easier to get free Narcan.
Narcan isn’t just for those who intentionally misuse opioids. That’s a stereotype Capt. Paramedic Kevin Johnston with Tempe Fire Medical Rescue wants to dispel. He says anyone can unintentionally overdose on opioids.
“Infants crawling on the floor find a pill and they swallow it,” he says. “The elderly, like I said, they could have some memory issues, some cognitive issues,” and that could lead to some forgetting that they already too their prescription opioid earlier in the day.
“Or it could be something as simple as they're seeing multiple health care providers — they have multiple prescriptions and don't realize that maybe they're taking two opioids for different things.”
Johnston says anyone can administer Narcan, which reverses an overdose. Free kits are available at Tempe’s EnVision Center, a local community center, and at Tempe fire stations and at CPR classes. A state of Arizona program funds the Narcan at no cost to the city.
Narcan isn't only for people who use opioids. Family members, friends and others can keep Narcan on hand in case they encounter someone experiencing an opioid overdose.
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