NEW MEXICO HAS A HIGH NUMBER OF DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS. BUT PHARMACISTS AROUND THE STATE ARE NOW BEING TRAINED TO ADMINISTER A DRUG THAT COULD HELP REDUCE THOSE NUMBERS. THE DRUG … SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAME NARCAN … CAN REVERSE THE EFFECTS OF A HEROIN OVERDOSE IF ITS ADMINISTERED QUICKLY. THE STATE PHARMACY BOARD HAS TRAINED THE FIRST 60 PHARMACISTS TO PRESCRIBE THE DRUG, WHICH IS CARRIED BY EMERGENCY ROOMS AND SOME RESPONDERS.
NARCAN IS ADMINISTERED AS A SPRAY MIST INTO THE NOSE MEMBRANE AND FLOWS DIRECTLY TO THE BRAIN … WHERE IT BLOCKS OPIOIDS AND RESTORES BREATHING. DALE TINKER WITH THE NEW MEXICO PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION THINKS INCREASED AVAILABILITY OF NARCAN WILL HELP REDUCE OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THE STATE.
