All articles tagged with #narcan
Hayden Panettiere's estranged mother Lesley Vogel claims Brian Hickerson's version of the actress's final hours is full of holes, urging further police investigation, casting doubt on the timeline and Narcan events, as Panettiere's death in South Carolina remains under investigation with authorities noting no signs of foul play.
Zach Hickerson, brother of Panettiere’s ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson, told TMZ that he and Brian administered Narcan and performed CPR after Panettiere was found unconscious in an Airbnb in Greenville, S.C.; he says the truth will come out as investigators release details, while noting Panettiere’s history with Brian and the scrutiny surrounding her death.
Zach Hickerson, the brother of Panettiere’s on‑off boyfriend Brian Hickerson, told TMZ that he and Brian found Hayden Panettiere unconscious in a Greenville, South Carolina Airbnb, administered Narcan, and performed CPR as first responders attempted to revive her; a Narcan bottle was at the scene and investigators are reviewing the circumstances, with Panettiere’s boyfriend’s history of domestic abuse noted in reports.
Zach Hickerson, Panettiere's boyfriend's brother, says he found the actress unconscious at an Airbnb on Aug. 16, called 911, and helped Brian Hickerson administer Narcan and perform CPR as EMS arrived; police say there were no signs of foul play and the DEA has joined the investigation. Panettiere's mother has publicly questioned Brian's involvement, and both families are awaiting the investigation's findings.
Zach Hickerson—Brian Hickerson’s brother—told TMZ that after Hayden Panettiere was found unconscious at a Greenville, South Carolina Airbnb, Brian administered Narcan and the brothers performed CPR while 911 was on speaker; first responders arrived as Panettiere’s death is investigated, with officials saying there are no signs of foul play.}
A powerful veterinary sedative, medetomidine, has been detected in Utah’s street-drug supply, alongside fentanyl and other tranquilizers like xylazine, as the DEA reports large fentanyl seizures in the state and along major trafficking corridors. Narcan (naloxone) can reverse fentanyl but not medetomidine, complicating overdoses; if both substances are present, responders may reverse the fentanyl and still see the person unconscious. The finding underscores the need for updated public-education, better first-responder training, and treatment options alongside enforcement to reduce harm.
Utah’s opioid and fentanyl task forces detected medetomidine, a veterinary sedative, in the state’s illicit drug supply. First seen in U.S. street drugs in 2022, medetomidine is more potent than xylazine and cannot be reversed by naloxone, since it isn’t an opioid; naloxone remains essential for opioid overdoses like fentanyl. Officials urge quick overdose response—call 911, administer naloxone, and support breathing—while continuing surveillance and public health guidance to save lives.
BRINC unveiled the Guardian, a Starlink-connected police drone that can reach over 60 mph, fly for more than an hour, and autonomously swap batteries from a charging nest. It carries payloads including Narcan and other life-saving gear, features dual 4K imaging with long-range zoom, and aims to rival police helicopters as a 911-response tool, though some analysts say its impact may be incremental rather than revolutionary.
Street vigilantes, frustrated with drug users, are using Narcan as a weapon to combat drug-related issues in their communities.
A Raleigh high school senior, Victoria Taton, saved a man's life by administering Narcan after suspecting an overdose. Taton, who has been carrying Narcan for two years, acted quickly when she saw the man unresponsive by the side of the road. Her actions highlight the importance of carrying naloxone to combat overdoses.
A new street drug called medetomidine, an animal tranquilizer 100 times stronger than xylazine, is causing overdose deaths in nine U.S. states. Often found mixed with fentanyl and heroin, medetomidine leads to severe sedation and slowed heart rate, and is not reversible with Narcan. The drug is exacerbating the drug crisis in cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. Experts emphasize the importance of calling 911 and providing rescue breathing during overdoses, while urging against dehumanizing those affected.
Edgecombe County's first Narcan vending machine has been installed at the local jail, allowing deputies, jail employees, and recently released inmates to access the opioid overdose-reversing drug with the touch of a button. The Edgecombe County Community Paramedic Program is working on placing a second machine for free public access. The initiative aims to protect vulnerable populations and reduce the stigma surrounding overdoses, with hopes of expanding the availability of Narcan throughout the county.
Since the launch of the over-the-counter version of Narcan, the antidote for opioid overdoses, sales have increased, with over 20 million doses distributed in the U.S. and Canada in 2023. However, the availability and pricing of Narcan vary across pharmacies, with some stores placing it behind the counter and pricing it at around $45, posing barriers to access. Despite this, advocates believe that making Narcan more accessible will save lives, especially as it becomes more widely recognized as a crucial tool for addressing the opioid crisis.
Despite the FDA's decision to make the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone available over the counter, a report from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy found that 71% of Houston pharmacies keep it behind the counter or are entirely out of stock. Inconsistent practices and slow resupply times make Narcan difficult to find, hindering efforts to prevent fentanyl-related deaths in Texas, where an estimated 5,566 drug-related deaths occurred from 2022 to 2023. Access to the life-saving drug is also inconsistent nationwide, with pharmacies citing concerns about theft and lack of demand. Efforts are being made to increase availability, including a $25 million grant from the Opioid Abatement Fund Council in Texas, but challenges such as staffing shortages and lack of education among pharmacists remain.
Over Presidents Day weekend, the Vail Police Department witnessed nine deployments of Narcan during the John Summit concert, with medical staff on site for the event provided through a private company. The town of Vail will not release further information about the Narcan deployments, and there is no indication of a connection between the incidents. Colorado has laws in place to protect individuals who are overdosing, and over-the-counter Narcan is available at multiple pharmacies in Eagle County. Harm reduction measures, including education and access to Narcan and fentanyl test strips, have come into the national and statewide conversation as opioid and fentanyl overdoses continue to rise.