COULD IT GET WORSE? –

June 24, 2022 – Unable to rouse him, the paramedics administered the drug naloxone via an injection into his upper left arm. The drug, widely known by the brand name Narcan, is an emergency treatment for opioid overdose that temporarily reverses the depressive and potentially fatal effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Brack came to abruptly. He refused to be taken to hospital and became angry as the opioid withdrawals set-in. “I’m sober, I need a cigarette,” he said to Ellen as they drove off. America’s opioid crisis has reached epidemic levels.

In Arizona alone paramedics and police have responded to between 700 and 800 suspected overdoses every month so far this year, administering naloxone in 80% of callouts. Just over half were aged between 25 and 44, while 6% were over 75 years old. Overall, 93% survived, at least on that occasion.

Drug overdoses accounted for more than 50,000 hospital admissions and emergency room visits between 2020 and 2021.

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