Narcan, or naloxone, is a powerful opioid antagonist used by first responders to treat those experiencing an opioid overdose. Medical professionals tell us that when an individual experiencing a drug overdose wakes up from narcan administration, they think they are okay. However, they are not medically stable. We understand from medical professionals, including Knoxville Tennessee EMS that they have to return to the same person they just treated due to the fact that they have stopped breathing. It is a temporary reversal and further medical intervention is critical.
This bill represents the new best practice when administering narcan. As the opioid epidemic rages on, narcan will only increase in usage. If someone is treated with narcan, this bill requires that they should be taken to the hospital to ensure they are okay and to prevent yet another opioid overdose fatality. At the end of the day, this bill is about acknowledging what we know about the science around drug overdose treatment.