Narcan's not the most expensive drug in a paramedic's drug bag, but it's not free. Going on multiple responses on the same patients for the same thing is going to impact an agency's budget. These people are typically uninsured and don't have money to pay for a response. Something is going to have to give for some agencies. They'll either cease to be or stop carrying Narcan and just put these people in the recovery position and let them sleep it off. I'm sorry to those that might think that's cruel but that is the reality for some agencies.
There is no "recovery position" for an OD without prior treatment.
To do so would be considered "abandonment" and gross negligence.
Narcan is in no way shape or form necessary to save the life of an opiate OD.
You ventilate with a BVM with high flow 02 on the way to the hospital.
If your agency does not have a bottle of o2 and a BVM...they are not much of an agency.
