While a drug epidemic of this scale is hard to stop, the availability of safety measures like Narcan and fentanyl test strips can seriously help prevent the number of opioid deaths.

Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name, Narcan, is a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. It can either be administrated through the nose as a nasal spray or into the muscle as an injection. Narcan works by bonding to the opioid receptors and blocking them. One of the greatest parts about Narcan is that it does not affect those who are not overdosing on opioids, meaning even when someone is unsure about what drug a person is overdosing from, they can and should administer Narcan. It is important to keep in mind that many opioids will stay in the body longer than Narcan’s effects will last, so people should still call 9-1-1 even if Naloxone was administered. People addicted to opioids might experience withdrawal symptoms within minutes of the Naloxone dosage, but these symptoms are not life-threatening.

Unfortunately, Naloxone might require a prescription in some states and can be expensive. This makes it harder for those who need it to access the medication. It may be hard for people to rationalize spending money on medication based on a “what-if” scenario, but in these cases, it is absolutely better to be safe than sorry. Narcan needs to be accessible in order to make a difference, and there are already many places that will hand them out for free. Anyone who is around people with opioid addictions, is recovering from an addiction or suspects a loved one might have an addiction should have and carry a dose of Narcan on them.

Another great harm-reduction product is fentanyl test strips. These can be used to test any illicit drug for fentanyl, which can reduce the risk of an overdose. Nobody wants their loved ones to be hooked on drugs, but stopping their habit completely can take years, and relapses are to be expected. The test strips are an unfortunate safety measure that is necessary.

Some people believe that giving addicts access to overdose medication is encouraging their habit, but it could save their lives, and it could give them a second chance. Drug addiction is an extremely difficult habit to break, and preventative measures need to start young. Drug abuse often stems from long-term, unhelped mental problems. Prioritizing children’s mental health and giving them the help they need could completely change the course of their future in a positive way.

The number of drug overdoses in America is skyrocketing and steps need to be taken to intervene. Being prepared by arming vulnerable people with Narcan and better prioritizing mental health at a young age are just a couple of ways America can slow the drug epidemic plaguing this country.