Naloxone
By the Numbers
Opioids attach to receptors in the brain
to block pain and slow breathing. During
a drug overdose, opioids depress the
respiratory system and may stop breathing
entirely. Narcan, a popular brand name of
the drug naloxone, is an opiate antidote
that blocks these effects and reverses an
overdose. As part of its Harm Reduction
Program, the Cabell-Huntington Health
Department trains citizens on how to use
naloxone in the event of an emergency and
dispenses the drug free of charge. Here,
we offer a glimpse at naloxone distribution,
use and effectiveness by the numbers.
• The Cabell-Huntington Health De-
partment distributed more than 8,000
doses of Naloxone in 2017.
• For every 100 doses distributed by
the Cabell-Huntington Health Depart-
ment, approximately 12 will be used,
and for every 12 doses of naloxone
administered, 1 life is saved.
• There have been more than 1,300
documented overdose reversals in
Cabell County by community mem-
bers using naloxone since February
2016. This number does not include
reversals made by first responders
or emergency workers.
• The company that manufactures Nar-
can sells it to government agencies
at a discounted price of $75 per box,
or $37.50 per dose. Meanwhile, the
charge for running an ambulance to
respond to an overdose is approxi-
mately $1,000 .
• Preliminary data suggests that ap-
proximately 75 percent of drug us-
ers will not call 911 in the event of an
overdose, despite clear directions
that calling 911 is required to utilize
the drug.
• One of the most common opiates
currently on the scene in Cabell Coun-
ty is fentanyl, which is 100 times more
potent than morphine.
Tammy Owen, Senior Partner at Goodwin & Goodwin
When you
need a lawyer,
you need
Using an attorney with vast experience means the job not only
gets done right but more efficiently. In the area of commercial
transactions, it’s doubtful anyone in West Virginia has handled
more deals or more complex transactions than Goodwin &
Goodwin Senior Partner Tammy Owen. Collectively, Owen has
handled transactions that total in the billions of dollars. Those
transactions have ranged in complexity from a single parcel of
real estate to thousands of assets. From small, privately held
businesses to large, publicly traded organizations, she has dealt
with them all.
Whether your business is looking to merge, acquire, sell or
refinance debt, Owen and her team at Goodwin & Goodwin are
ready to assist.
Call us at 304-346-7000 or visit goodwingoodwin.com or email
[email protected].
Goodwin & Goodwin, LLP – Attorneys at Law
Responsible Attorney: Booth Goodwin, 300 Summers Street, 15th Floor, Charleston, WV 25301
Source: Charles Babcock, Pharm.D., CDE,
Charleston • Parkersburg • Ripley
64
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
BCACP, Marshall University School of
Pharmacy