ONLY ON ABC-7: “Life-saving” nasal spray prevents opioid overdoses

A 33-year-old Doña Ana County man remembers the moment he almost lost his life to heroin in Albuquerque eight years ago.

“I just blacked the hell out,” he told ABC-7, asking to remain anonymous. “All I remember is banging (the needle) in and sitting back and I was out.”

However, one drug saved him from overdosing: Naloxone.

“I was brought back to reality,” he said. “Life is precious.”

Doña Ana County officials credit the drug with more than a dozen opioid overdose reversals in the past year, alone.

“This is the first time that we’ve been able to make it widely available to the public,” said Athena Huckaby, the county’s overdose prevention educator. “I think it’s clear that it’s a great thing.”

The drug, known as Naloxone (with a brand name of Narcan), was invented in the 1960s. The New Mexico Department of Health (NM DOH) has been distributing it since 2001, but Huckaby told ABC-7 the drug is now more widely available than ever.

“This is not new, it’s just that a lot of people don’t know about it,” Huckaby said. “We’re really trying to spread the word and get the knowledge out there.”

Naloxone is very strongly attracted to the brain’s opioid receptors, so the medicine is designed to remove the opioid from the receptor, Huckaby said. Training is very minimal and anyone can administer the drug (video below).

A veteran suffering from opioid addiction also shared his journey, with ABC-7, asking to remain anonymous.

“(After administering Naloxone), they were zipping the body bag and I woke up and spit in the doctor’s face,” the veteran said.

Only four days sober, the veterans said relapsing has motivated to continue on his journey. After three overdoses, he said Naloxone gave him a fighting chance at survival.

“Obviously, somebody wants me to be here for another reason,” the veteran said. “Even though I’m ready to go, God’s not ready to go.”

Anyone in New Mexico can access Naloxone. New Mexico’s State Epidemiologist Dr. Michael Landen has written a standing order. There is no copay with Medicaid. Private insurance may have an applicable copay, but insurance will cover it, Huckaby said.

Naloxone is also available at the New Mexico Department of Health on Solano Drive or the county building on Motel Boulevard.

“Everyone, as far as I’m concerned, deserves to live,” Huckaby said.

Below: How to administer the drug.