Ian Stoddart, Chas Carlson and Eric Miller shared their perspective as first responders in Ardmore, PA. Stoddart with 30 years of work experience as a paramedic, Carlson with six years as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and Miller with 23 years of work experience as a policer officer, have each responded to their fair share of substance use related calls.

When working on a 911 ambulance for Narberth, Stoddart and Carlson respond to a variety of alcohol and drug overdose calls, and have used naloxone, or Narcan, to resuscitate a patient more times than they can count. Carlson stated that patients often go from “no breathing, to confusion, to I don’t want to be here,” after being revived. Unless a doctor overrides it, neither Stoddart nor Carlson have the authority to demand a patient to be transported to the hospital. This however is a problem itself considering Narcan has a short life, and the patient can overdose 20 minutes later if the heroin is still in their system, and they don’t get the full and proper treatment at the hospital.

“We don’t bring them all the way back, we give just enough Narcan so that they are breathing, but not fully conscious so we can transport them without a fight,” said Stoddart. Although his actions are not morally correct, 60% of people who are transported to the hospital eventually go to rehab. Stoddart also believes that pain management shouldn’t be pain free. But because hospitals are businesses that want to ensure patient satisfaction for insurance reimbursements, doctors often overprescribe.

“Man, you knocked off my high,” said Officer Miller when repeating the words overdose victims would say after being treated with Narcan. It typically takes about three minutes to resuscitate a victim, who would then go into instant withdraw, and possibly start to vomit. Officer Miller is still bothered by the fact that just ten years ago, he was unable to save a young boy’s life because officers did not carry Narcan. Today, officers in his department are able to administer Narcan in the form of nasal spray. With good samaritan laws passed, substance users are able to call in an overdose without being arrested.