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The United States has witnessed a notable decline in opioid overdose fatalities, with a recent study highlighting the significant impact of naloxone administered by non-medical bystanders. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overdose deaths decreased by 3% in 2023, marking the first annual reduction since 2018. This new study indicates that one contributing factor to this improvement is the broader administration of naloxone, a life-saving drug commonly known as Narcan, by ordinary citizens.

Published in the journal JAMA Network Open, the study revealed that between June 2020 and June 2022, emergency medical services (EMS) across the United States documented naloxone administration to 744,078 patients. Interestingly, while EMS-documented naloxone usage declined by 6.1% during this period, the rate of naloxone being administered by laypersons before EMS arrival surged by 43.5%.

"The fact that we saw an increase of 43.5% shows that public health efforts are making a difference," stated Chris Gage, the lead author of the study and EMS Research Fellow with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Naloxone, available as a nasal spray, can reverse opioid overdoses by blocking opioid effects and restoring breathing within two to three minutes. Experts stress the importance of still calling 911 during an overdose as medical attention might be necessary even after naloxone administration.

Gage emphasized, "There's no real medical training required to use naloxone. It's as simple as spraying Afrin up someone's nose. Empowering people to potentially save lives is the ultimate goal."

The latest CDC data indicates a continuing downward trend in overdose fatalities, with deaths falling by as much as 10% over the past year. The substantial increase in layperson naloxone usage highlights the drug's crucial role in public health strategies to combat the opioid crisis, making it accessible to bystanders who can intervene in emergencies.

Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta, a senior scientist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, pointed out, "People who reverse overdoses are very likely to reverse more than one overdose. The focus should be on getting naloxone to people who use drugs and those around them."

Of the 744,078 naloxone recipients in the study period, only 3.4% received it from a layperson. Gage hopes this number will continue to increase now that naloxone became available over the counter in September 2023, with a suggested retail price of about $45 per two-dose carton.

"Given the ongoing opioid epidemic, naloxone is a critical life-saving medication," Gage said. "Its over-the-counter availability should enhance access, enabling more people to carry it and potentially save lives."

Despite improved access, barriers remain for some opioid users in obtaining naloxone. Dasgupta noted that the high cost of naloxone has been a significant issue, although it has recently started to decline. He also suggested that better education regarding drug contamination could aid in reducing overdose deaths.

"The drug supply is highly contaminated, and drug-checking can provide immediate analysis of drug samples," Dasgupta explained. "This knowledge helps users make safer decisions."

Gage believes these new findings can guide future policies and practices aimed at mitigating the opioid crisis's effects. "If more laypeople administer naloxone, it could mean fewer fatalities," he concluded.