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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) – Senior Rhode Island health officials are calling on the public to help fight deadly overdoses by carrying naloxone, a drug that reverses overdose.
The reason: Opioid overdoses in public places are increasing every year.
In 2018, health-related data indicate that about 35% of the opioid overdose calls that EMS responded to were in public places, such as beaches, streets, restaurants, and parks. . Officials said that this increase of 4% over 2017.
"Often they are unconscious or their breathing becomes very slow and superficial," said Jason Rhodes, chief of the OHS Center at the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Rhodes said that if the public was armed with a vital antidote, naloxone, it could help prevent more people from dying from overdose opioids.
Naloxone is a nasal spray sold over the counter in most pharmacies. Pharmacists say this insurance is covered by most insurance, and it costs you between $ 0 and $ 90 for a two-use box.
To pay out of pocket without insurance, a two-dose box of naloxone costs about $ 89.99 at a Providence pharmacy.
Howard Chew, of Providence, told NBC 10 News that he appreciated the idea and that he would use the antidote that saves life, but believes that the Ministry of Health should help to cover part of the costs.
"I have no objection to that, but if they want to implement this, they should really make it more affordable for the average citizen," Chew told NBC 10 Monday.
Others think it's the same as wearing a first aid kit.
"It's a scary thing because some medications and others, just by being in touch with them, you can overdose yourself," said Steve Harkabus of Providence. "It's a little scary. But I think I would do it. I would probably take the risk and do it. "
As the number of overdoses continues to rise, Rhode Island health officials said the number of overdose deaths had actually decreased in the first 10 months of 2018.
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