OD drug is saving hundreds

Since November 2007, 335 people who have overdosed on an opiate have been saved by a Narcan dose that was distributed from Northeast Behavioral Health - a Lynn- and Gloucester-based nonprofit that has also taught more than 2,000 people how to administer the life-saving drug. The Narcan was provided by the state Department of Public Health.

“By using community-based programs to enroll participants and distribute Intra-nasal Narcan, this pilot has allowed us to reach opioid users and bystanders in communities across the state,’’ said Dr. JudyAnn Bigby, secretary of Health and Human Services, in a prepared statement.

Mary Wheeler, who directs the Healthy Streets Outreach Program for Northeast Behavioral Health in Lynn and Gloucester, said the public demand for Narcan has increased over the years. “It’s been the most amazing intervention,’’ she said. “It’s saved peoples’ lives; it’s gotten people into drug treatment, and it’s bridged public health with abstinence-based programs, law enforcement, and first responders.’’

Wheeler says a typical Narcan training takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. People receive a packet, which includes the liquid drug in a vial. When used, the drug is placed in a syringe and sprayed into a person’s nose. People are also taught to call 911 immediately if they come across an overdose victim, and to administer rescue breathing before using the Narcan. The spray works almost immediately, with opiate overdose victims returning to consciousness within 1 to 5 minutes, Wheeler says. Still, overdose victims need to be brought to the hospital, since the drug only lasts about 20 minutes.

Frank Johnson, who is 25 and lives in Lynn, says he’s been saved by Narcan at least seven times. After being trained how to use it, he’s saved two friends and now says he doesn’t go anywhere without it. “Generally, when people overdose they start getting pale, and blue at the lips. Then you know you have a problem and start getting into action,’’ said Johnson.