The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health and the Nebraska Pharmacists Association continues to get lifesaving Narcan out to Nebraska residents in order to be prepared in the event of an opioid overdose.

Since March 1, Narcan is available at no charge, at Kubat Pharmacy/Hilltop Drug, located at 108 W. 11th in Neligh.

"Our partnership with Kubat Pharmacy and DHHS will allow anyone who is in a position to help someone who is experiencing an opioid overdose to access Narcan nasal spray at no cost, without a prescription or insurance. Individuals who know someone, or you yourself are at risk of an opioid overdose, you should carry Narcan, it could save a life. We continue to add pharmacies throughout the state so we can get this life-saving medication out to the public. There continues to be a rise in drugs being laced with fentanyl, opioids and non-opioids alike and so now it really is a game of Russian roulette if you are using illicit drugs", said Nebraska Pharmacists Association project coordinator, Amy Holman.

Kubat Pharmacy can be reached at 402-887-5551 if individuals have questions about Narcan.

Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone can restore normal breathing to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to opioids, including fentanyl, if given in time. Anyone can carry naloxone, administer it to someone experiencing an overdose and potentially save a life. Naloxone won’t harm someone if they’re overdosing on drugs other than opioids, so it’s always best to use it if you think someone is overdosing.

Opioids are medications that act on receptors in the spinal cord and brain to reduce pain intensity and activate reward regions in the brain, causing the euphoria that can lead to misuse and opioid use disorder. Common opioids include prescription medications used to treat pain, such as morphine, codeine, methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl and hydromorphone, and illicit drugs like heroin.

Who should carry naloxone?

Individuals with an increased risk for opioid overdose, especially those struggling with opioid use disorder, should carry naloxone and keep it at home. People who are taking high-dose opioid medications, greater or equal to 50 morphine milligram equivalents per day, prescribed by a doctor, people who use opioids and benzodiazepines together, and people who use illicit opioids like heroin, should all carry naloxone. Since naloxone cannot be administered on oneself, it is important to let others know it is available in case of an opioid overdose.

Individuals who administer Narcan to another person should also make sure to call 911 to get medical help. A person can go back into an overdose after 30 minutes of receiving Narcan.

Nebraska has a Good Samaritan Law which states that a person who is gratuitously giving emergency care to a person in need cannot be held civilly liable for their acts or omissions while helping that person. It is important that you stay with that person until emergency help arrives.

For more information on life-saving Narcan, visit the Stop Overdose Nebraska. To find treatment facilities throughout Nebraska, visit stopodne.com.