Free Narcan Vending Machines in Deep Ellum – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

This weekend, life-saving vending machines will open in Deep Ellum.

This weekend, two vending machines will be installed in bars and catering establishments that will dispense free Narcan.

“Having that conversation with parents, mentors, teachers and really talking about the realities of drug use and then also offering a solution is really the initiative of Deep Ellum and the Deep Ellum community,” said Veronica Young of the Deep Ellum Foundation.

By the end of the year, more than 30 vending machines will be installed in Deep Ellum.

WHAT IS NARCAN?

Narcan is a prepackaged nasal spray available without a prescription that contains naloxone hydrochloride, an opioid antagonist that quickly, but only temporarily, reverses an opioid overdose.

According to the manufacturer, Narcan nasal spray is a prescription medication used to treat known or suspected opioid overdose with symptoms such as difficulty breathing and severe drowsiness or unresponsiveness.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, naloxone is an FDA-approved medication used to reverse an opioid overdose.

SAMHSA said naloxone is a temporary treatment and its effects do not last long. Therefore, it is critical to begin medical treatment as soon as possible after administering or receiving naloxone.

The Dallas Morning News’ Marin Wolf tells NBC 5 about the life-saving training.

WHAT IS NALOXONE?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health, naloxone is a drug that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose by attaching to opioid receptors and reversing or blocking the effects of opioids.

“Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing in a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to an opioid overdose. However, naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in his or her system, and it is not a treatment for opioid addiction. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, and morphine.

Naloxone is available in two FDA-approved forms: as an injection and as a nasal spray.

Naloxone only works for 30 to 90 minutes, and many opioids stay in the body longer. It is possible for someone to still feel the effects of an overdose after a dose of naloxone has worn off, so it is very important to call 911 or get the person who overdosed to medical attention as soon as possible after the dose is administered.

On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved naloxone for sale without a prescription, making the overdose drug on track to become the first opioid treatment drug available without a prescription.

Another medication, Opvee (nalmefene), is also an emergency nasal spray used to reverse an opioid overdose. However, Opvee is not approved for over-the-counter use and can only be obtained with a prescription. Nalmefene stays in the body longer than naloxone and may be more effective for overdoses caused by long-acting opioids, but it may also be associated with more opioid withdrawal symptoms.

DOES FDA APPROVAL MEAN I CAN BUY NARCAN AT CVS OR WALGREENS?

Yes. Narcan is currently available over the counter at pharmacies.

Other brands of nasal sprays (RiVive) and injections may soon be available without a prescription.

WHAT IS FENTANYL?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, which is equal to 10-15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose.

Without laboratory testing, it is impossible to know how much fentanyl is in a pill or powder. If you come across fentanyl in any form, do not touch it and call 911 immediately.

Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 107,622 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021, 66% of which were related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Drug poisoning is the leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. Fentanyl available in the United States is primarily supplied by two criminal drug networks: the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

WHAT IS RAINBOW FENTANYL?

In August 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration issued a public advisory regarding the alarming emerging trend of colorful fentanyl being available nationwide.

Brightly colored fentanyl, also referred to in the media as “rainbow fentanyl,” is being seized in various forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that resemble sidewalk chalk.

“Rainbow fentanyl — fentanyl pills and powder that come in a variety of bright colors, shapes and sizes — is a deliberate attempt by drug traffickers to fuel addiction among children and young adults,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The men and women of the DEA are working tirelessly to stop the rainbow fentanyl trade and defeat the Mexican drug cartels that are responsible for the vast majority of fentanyl trafficked into the United States.”

Despite claims that certain colors may be more potent than others, there is no indication from the DEA’s lab tests that this is the case. The DEA said that any color, shape or size of fentanyl should be considered extremely dangerous.

Drug Enforcement Administration officials are warning of fentanyl in bright colors, sometimes resembling sidewalk chalk or candy.