How easy is it to save a life? If you can use an allergy spray, you can administer Narcan to revive someone experiencing an overdose.
“Narcan is extremely easy to administer, just like any nasal allergy medicine,” says Eoin Coffey, RN, BSN, Nurse Care Manager for Ryan Health’s Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) Program. “It’s the Three P’s — peel the medication open, place it in the nose, and press the plunger.”
Narcan can pull someone out of an opioid overdose if administered soon enough. That’s why Ryan Health makes Narcan kits free for anyone to carry with them. Every three hours a New York City resident dies from an overdose, according to NYC Health. In 2023, 3,046 New Yorkers died of an overdose. And while that’s down from the high point of 3,070 New Yorkers in 2022, it is still much too high.
Ryan Health’s Narcan kits come from the New York City Department of Health. Inside are two Narcan nasal sprays and information on our MAT program. Also included is a drug testing baggie for people to test their drug supply to see if it contains potentially fatal additives like Fentanyl or Xylazine.
If you see a non-responsive person, you should:
- Give them the first dose of Narcan.
- Call 9-1-1.
- Then administer the second dose of Narcan. There is no danger in giving two doses.
Because Narcan only works on overdoses, there is no other effect on the person if they are not using opioids. And importantly, if you are worried about your liability in assisting, New York’s Good Samaritan Law protects you because you are helping save lives.
Narcan kits are available for free at every Ryan Health location — just ask at the front desk. You don’t have to provide your name and can remain anonymous. If you need several kits, it may be best to ask Coffey and his team to train your group. It only takes about 20 minutes. They’ve conducted training in how to administer Narcan throughout the city, including at community centers, churches, and clinics.
Coffey recently trained a group organized by New York City Council Member Gale Brewer. One of the participants was later able to administer Narcan to someone she saw on the street who had overdosed. That person lived thanks to Narcan and the training provided by Coffey.
“That’s why we’re making Narcan and training on how to use it available, so the information is out there, and people know what to do,” Coffey says. “Let’s try to help one another so people can get the help they need to heal and live a better life.”
