RIDEGURU
I drive in Philly. Mostly nights. I do pick up a lot of drunk people and i have had riders that are probably doing more than drinking. I frequently sit at a gas station few blocks from home positioned between Philly and Andalusia (Bucks county) when waiting for rides. I know the staff there and speak with them fequently. About 3am Monday morning I am done so I stop to clean my car and get gas for following night. One of the workers says that the car at the pump has been there for awhile with a female sleeping. So I walk over and there is a young 20 something girl passed out with head back mouth open. I cant see her chest rise and fall and color doesnt look good. I pound on the car window no response. I tell the clerk to call 911. I try the door which luckily was unlocked.I feel for pulse which is thready and irregular. I check her breathing her respirations are 4 per minute. I try shaking her no movement. She has glass pipe in one hand lighter in the other and car has funny odor. I finally give her a sternal rub 3X. She finally opens her eyes and is very disoriented. I ask her if she is ok. She replies, "yes". I ask her what happened, why she was passed out. She tells me she was tired and was waiting for bf and fell asleep. I tell clerk to tell 911 operator that she is awake but still send rescue. She hears me and immediately says "i'm good" shuts her door and pulls away. It's obvious she was smoking something and it wasnt weed. That couldve easily been a rider. Was just curious to know what drivers thoughts were on Uber drivers carrying Narcan in case this ever happens while driving. I've been in healthcare my whole life and attending nursing school now…
I drive in Philly. Mostly nights. I do pick up a lot of drunk people and i have had riders that are probably doing more than drinking. I frequently sit at a gas station few blocks from home positioned between Philly and Andalusia (Bucks county) when waiting for rides. I know the staff there and speak with them fequently. About 3am Monday morning I am done so I stop to clean my car and get gas for following night. One of the workers says that the car at the pump has been there for awhile with a female sleeping. So I walk over and there is a young 20 something girl passed out with head back mouth open. I cant see her chest rise and fall and color doesnt look good. I pound on the car window no response. I tell the clerk to call 911. I try the door which luckily was unlocked.I feel for pulse which is thready and irregular. I check her breathing her respirations are 4 per minute. I try shaking her no movement. She has glass pipe in one hand lighter in the other and car has funny odor. I finally give her a sternal rub 3X. She finally opens her eyes and is very disoriented. I ask her if she is ok. She replies, "yes". I ask her what happened, why she was passed out. She tells me she was tired and was waiting for bf and fell asleep. I tell clerk to tell 911 operator that she is awake but still send rescue. She hears me and immediately says "i'm good" shuts her door and pulls away. It's obvious she was smoking something and it wasnt weed. That couldve easily been a rider. Was just curious to know what drivers thoughts were on Uber drivers carrying Narcan in case this ever happens while driving. I've been in healthcare my whole life and attending nursing school now. I would feel awful if someone was having a medical emergency and I just stood by and did nothing when I could've helped. If it was a heart attack or something not drug related I would do what I could until help came. What about a person that OD's? Most likely they will be back using the next day. There is a city in Bucks County that gave Narcan out for free and trained ordinary people with no medical background in case they came across someone that OD. What are your thoughts? Would you be willing to carry Narcan as an Uber driver if you were trained and couldnt be held responsible if person died anyway? Why or Why not? What are your thoughts?
Comments
I drive in Greenville, SC and yes, I would absolutely carry Narcan if someone provided it for me to carry. However, I don't have $135 to spend on the product if I had to buy it. The Good Samaritan laws cover acts of people trying to help others in emergency situations and as a nasal spray it's not like you can mess it up. People who say they are risk averse and are worried about being sued have no backbone. Anytime I can help another human being, particularly in a life and death situation I am going to step up. It's just in my nature. I don’t think of it as a “driver” issue so much as a responsible citizen issue.
I agree on both statements. Have been trying to find a way to get it for free here in Philly. I just seen something a few days ago that you can get it for free. Going to look into it. If you dont mind putting what city your in and would like me to see if you can get it free I would be happy to look into it for you.
Frank still trying to find a place for you to get it. Here is what I found out to date, Many insurance companies will cover it. If you know anyone on pain meds that doesnt abuse them they should be able to get a script from doc. Most states you dont need a script its a "standing order". If your insurance covers it you walk jnto the pharmacy and they will give it to you.
Just read a story where an Uber driver picked up a passenger. As soon as he started out on trip his passenger went to sleep. As they were driving Uber driver was checking traffic when he noticed the guys lips were blue. He shouted his name wouldnt wake up. He was only 3 min from a Hospital so he drove him there. The passenger had overdosed on Heroin. The Uber driver got him there on time and he lived. Scary stuff!
I just had to look up Narcan, Damn. That could be a super useful medicine in case of emergencies.
As noble as this would be for a driver (and admire you for it) but that definitely is not a part of our driving responsibility. Even if I knew of a place that provides it for free, I just feel that seems like I am going too beyond my call of duty.
I am also worried about administering medicine into strangers in case things can go wrong. Unlike you, I do not have medical training, I am not licensed, and the chance of misdiagnosing the situation is too high. I also do not have insurance for such things in case something goes wrong. Price is too high for me to be "noble." Sorry.
In most cases it's a nose spray. Very easy to administer it. There is the good samaritan law. Basically you are granted immunity if you voluntarily try to help someone and fail to do it properly, you break a rib, person dies anyway ex. CPR. In most states (40 last I heard) Narcan falls under the good Samaritan law. If Narcan is administered to someone who does not have opioids in their system it doesn't harm them. Narcan simply can reverse the overdose. Person could start breathing again and blood pressure rises. It pushes the receptors out of the brain. Completely understand why you wouldnt want to take a chance. Just informing you or anyone else that may be interested or not know what Narcan is. It is fairly easy to adminster and you cant be sued under good samaritan laws. I personally would be afraid to use it as I have no training. I have mixed feelings on the whole Narcan thing as there are many other drugs out there that people cannot …
Read more...
In most cases it's a nose spray. Very easy to administer it. There is the good samaritan law. Basically you are granted immunity if you voluntarily try to help someone and fail to do it properly, you break a rib, person dies anyway ex. CPR. In most states (40 last I heard) Narcan falls under the good Samaritan law. If Narcan is administered to someone who does not have opioids in their system it doesn't harm them. Narcan simply can reverse the overdose. Person could start breathing again and blood pressure rises. It pushes the receptors out of the brain. Completely understand why you wouldnt want to take a chance. Just informing you or anyone else that may be interested or not know what Narcan is. It is fairly easy to adminster and you cant be sued under good samaritan laws. I personally would be afraid to use it as I have no training. I have mixed feelings on the whole Narcan thing as there are many other drugs out there that people cannot afford but no one is helping them. Sime addicts are Narcaned multiple times and still.continue to use. I also understand the other side of it also. I do agree with momof4 though in the fact that if I could help someone rather than watch them die I probably would do what I could to help. Very understandable why people choose not to though.
Read less...
Wow. Thank you. Very thorough and helpful.
No it's not our responsibility you are 100% correct. It shouldn't have to be anyone's responsibility if a drug user continues to use drugs and doesn't at least try to get help. There are users out there that get Narcaned multiple times and continue to get high. Although I personally feel if their is something I can do to help Knowing that I am covered under Good Samaritan Laws I would at least have to try to attempt to save someone. If it takes Rescue 3 min or more which most likely it will to get to their location I would squirt some nose spray or try CPR to save the person. I couldnt live with myself if someone died in the back of my car when I could've possibly saved them. That's just me I don't expect everyone to feel the way I do. Trust me sometimes I just react and dont think what can happen. Just hope for the best outcome for all involved. One day it may just bite me in the ass.:) Everybody has their reasons why they do or don't do so…
Read more...
No it's not our responsibility you are 100% correct. It shouldn't have to be anyone's responsibility if a drug user continues to use drugs and doesn't at least try to get help. There are users out there that get Narcaned multiple times and continue to get high. Although I personally feel if their is something I can do to help Knowing that I am covered under Good Samaritan Laws I would at least have to try to attempt to save someone. If it takes Rescue 3 min or more which most likely it will to get to their location I would squirt some nose spray or try CPR to save the person. I couldnt live with myself if someone died in the back of my car when I could've possibly saved them. That's just me I don't expect everyone to feel the way I do. Trust me sometimes I just react and dont think what can happen. Just hope for the best outcome for all involved. One day it may just bite me in the ass.:) Everybody has their reasons why they do or don't do something and I understand and its not for me to judge. Trained or untrained it's still makes you nervous and somewhat afraid when you are dealing with people's lives. There is a difference on practicing on a mannequin or reading how to do it in a book:) Trust me either way it's hard and frightening. 1st time I had to do CPR at home on my younger brother all my training went out the window until I got it together. Much easier in a hospital with docs and nurses around to help. Outside whole other story. If I am that person's last chance or they die, I'll take the risk. Lets be real here though I drive for Uber and student loan debt (not done school yet). Sue me if there is nothing they are going to get other than a 14 yr old SUV and they are welcome to take car pymts over on my other car. House not in my name:) I wasn't posting to judge or give anyone a hard time especially if they were not comfortable doing it. Just had a situation come up and was just wondering what people would do:)
Read less...
I think this is a very rational response and I don't blame you for it. You're right, it shouldn't be our responsibility and I don't blame any driver for not carrying narcan. Personally I think I am going to start carrying it but that is my choice.
I think it's wonderful to be prepared for all kinds of emergencies. Taxi and Uber drivers can be very effective in handling emergencies, as they are readily available and mobile in all areas of the city, they are available at all hours, etc.
The concept of "Taxi on Patrol" has been a noble cause in the past, where taxi drivers were trained, requested, encouraged, and even required (in some cases) to report crimes while on shift. Can you imagine thousands of drivers' eyes watching the streets at night?
Mobile medical provider can be a huge help too. Carrying around medicine in the back of taxis. Not sure the cost to equip and train the drivers though.
I'm not trained in the administration of these things, nor am I willing to accept the liability for such.
If a person needs help I'll call 911 and let someone trained render competent assistance.
If you are administering Narcan the person administering cannot OD on it. It blocks the receptors in brain for people who overdosed on opioids. The drug that is dangerous and you can overdose on is Fentanyl and Carfentanil. There were reports that a police officer overdosed brushing powder off himself from a suspect, someone touched it on a shopping cart, and a paramedic overdosed. These were found to be untrue. You have to ingest it, swallow, smoke, or inhale it. Of course you would want to protect yourself for mutiple reasons. If you were to carry Narcan and you did need to administer it make sure before you touch anyone to have gloves on. Discard gloves in a bag then in a trash container. Immediately after removing and discarding gloves wash your hands with warm soapy water using friction for 20 secs. Make sure you get your nails and in between your fingers.
Since hand washing came into the pic for this post just thought I would share.
As dumb as that may sound and some m…
Read more...
If you are administering Narcan the person administering cannot OD on it. It blocks the receptors in brain for people who overdosed on opioids. The drug that is dangerous and you can overdose on is Fentanyl and Carfentanil. There were reports that a police officer overdosed brushing powder off himself from a suspect, someone touched it on a shopping cart, and a paramedic overdosed. These were found to be untrue. You have to ingest it, swallow, smoke, or inhale it. Of course you would want to protect yourself for mutiple reasons. If you were to carry Narcan and you did need to administer it make sure before you touch anyone to have gloves on. Discard gloves in a bag then in a trash container. Immediately after removing and discarding gloves wash your hands with warm soapy water using friction for 20 secs. Make sure you get your nails and in between your fingers.
Since hand washing came into the pic for this post just thought I would share.
As dumb as that may sound and some may say "we know how to wash our hands" since driving for Uber Ì've used more public restrooms in past 18 mths than my entire life. Definately not a fan of them but not much of a choice when out on the road. I see people not use soap & just rinse hands, squirt a drop of soap rub hands together for 2 secs rinse and their done, and my personal favorite (NOT) not wash their hands at all. I could spend a few hours posting on this one topic. I'll be short WTH are they thinking? They have done absolutely nothing to sanitize their hands. You walk in bathroom you touch handles, locks, doors, the faucet etc. Multiple people just touched after using the toilet why woukd you not wash your hands correctly? Absolutely disgusting. FYI After you use bathroom wash your hands in warm soapy water using friction for 20 secs, rinse with hands pointed downward, dry with papertowels (best to use) even over the hot dryers especially the newer ones you stick your hands down in. After you dry them thouroughly take a paper towel to shut spigot off. Use a paper towel to open door because trust me SOME PEOPLE DONT WASH AT ALL, SOME INCORRECTLY, AND SOME FOR 5 SECS. After you have washed correctly and you dont use a paper towel to turn off spigot and open door you wasted your time its like you never even washed your hands. Sorry about the hand washing lesson but i've seen some pretty nasty people and bathrooms. What is common sense and normal to some of us isnt always common sense and normal to others.
Read less...
I should. I hate that we have to deal with this but I guess it is a fact of life in 2018 and I don’t want anyone dying in my car.
I agree. Dont like being put in this position. It's not fare that people who need medicine everyday cant get it. People who have Cancer cant get certain drugs they need because they are thousands and thousands of dollars. Then you have people on drugs who are Narcaned 2 or 3x in a few weeks. I am so torn between understanding a drug addict and being pissed they continue to do drugs. Its a disease or is it really? Just torn about the whole thing. What I do know is its someones child, mother, brother sister, wife, husband whatever. Would I want someone to help my family member? Of course. Maybe this would be the time they do get clean? Who knows. Its not place to judge anyone. If I can prevent someone from dying I am going to do it. No way can I watch someone die and just stand there and not do anything. I have been there one too many times watching people dying from cancer, illnesses, and old age. Things I couldnt do a damn thing about because it was inevitable. People that I…
Read more...
I agree. Dont like being put in this position. It's not fare that people who need medicine everyday cant get it. People who have Cancer cant get certain drugs they need because they are thousands and thousands of dollars. Then you have people on drugs who are Narcaned 2 or 3x in a few weeks. I am so torn between understanding a drug addict and being pissed they continue to do drugs. Its a disease or is it really? Just torn about the whole thing. What I do know is its someones child, mother, brother sister, wife, husband whatever. Would I want someone to help my family member? Of course. Maybe this would be the time they do get clean? Who knows. Its not place to judge anyone. If I can prevent someone from dying I am going to do it. No way can I watch someone die and just stand there and not do anything. I have been there one too many times watching people dying from cancer, illnesses, and old age. Things I couldnt do a damn thing about because it was inevitable. People that I couldnt help other than keep them comfortable and hold their hand until their last breath. Hug there family members who were inconsolable, say I am sorry, and bag the body to go to the morgue. So if I can do CPR or squirt nose spray up a persons nose to prevent them from dying thats what I am going to do.
Read less...
I feel lucky that I have only had lost one acquaintance to opioids. He struggled mightily with it for over a decade and got clean a number of times but just could not hang on. He finally succumbed last year due to fentanyl overdose. I find it hard to lay blame on him, knowing everything I do about his situation. He really tried, again and again. I can't even blame him for getting addicted as it all started with an opioid prescription from his doctor after a sports injury. Those legally prescribed drugs led him and his family into a years long nightmare that finally ended with his sad, pointless death on the floor of his parents' bathroom. He left a wife and two young kids behind.
Drug companies pushed these drugs, deliberately downplaying the addictive qualities of them. I find it hard not to blame them squarely for this problem. Once these drugs get a hold of you they don't let go, ever, and these companies knew it all along.
It's just a horrible situation all around. A true crisis. If carrying narcan will help me save one person, I probably should just do it. Sure wish I didn't have to pay for it though.
Check around where you live. There are some cities who offer free with training. Sorry to hear about your friend. Yes some did get addict as docs handed it out like candy. Also prescribed in pill mills just to make a buck. Then on the other hand people do need the pain meds for chronic pain who dont abuse them. Now their meds are being taken away from them and they have no where to turn to. Many are commiting suicide rather than live with the pain. Most of the overdoses are on street drugs. Our government needs to stop the drugs from coming in to our country. Anyone caught dealing drugs needs to go away for a long time. Clean up the streets, get rid of the suppliers and dealers.
If I can get it for free I would definately carry it. I dont want anyone dying in my car. As far as getting sued you should be protected by good samaritan laws. Much rather explain to police that I tried to save the rider than I did nothing at all just let him/her die because I was afraid I would get sued. Nasal spray cant be that hard to spray in someone's nose. Lets say your in bumper to bumper traffic rescue cant get to you for 7 min. most likely it will take longer. If EMS can get that person breathing and heart started they will likely be a vegetable after 6 min of no oxygen. How do you sit there watching someone die when all you had to do was squirt some spray in their nose. These people although they use drugs, they are someones mom, dad, sister, brother, father. Yes some drug addicts are total scumbags but not all are or were. You have no idea why or how they got on drugs or why they use. Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Suppose this was your …
Read more...
If I can get it for free I would definately carry it. I dont want anyone dying in my car. As far as getting sued you should be protected by good samaritan laws. Much rather explain to police that I tried to save the rider than I did nothing at all just let him/her die because I was afraid I would get sued. Nasal spray cant be that hard to spray in someone's nose. Lets say your in bumper to bumper traffic rescue cant get to you for 7 min. most likely it will take longer. If EMS can get that person breathing and heart started they will likely be a vegetable after 6 min of no oxygen. How do you sit there watching someone die when all you had to do was squirt some spray in their nose. These people although they use drugs, they are someones mom, dad, sister, brother, father. Yes some drug addicts are total scumbags but not all are or were. You have no idea why or how they got on drugs or why they use. Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Suppose this was your family member???? Stop with the excuses (other than the cost) this is someones life. As someone else said in their post momof4 check your city some give naloxone free with training
Read less...
Maybe if uber and Lyft did the homework and distributed it for free to drivers at their green light hubs, along with the water bottles and mints that they suggest we carry I would consider. My issue is (while not as much worried about the process of spraying it up someone’s nose) as touching them in the process and getting overdosed like paramedics often do by hand contact. If I overdose while trying to help the one who overdosed who will help me?
Sometimes I stop to help ladies in freeway with flat tires, but if I feel the stretch of road is not safe (not enough room to change the tire due to shoulder being too narrow, especially on driver side) I will pass. This situation is safer to assess but whether a drug user will infect me through hand contact is harder to predict. Calling 911 would be my first option, dropping them in ER if I am close to hospital is second.
Whenever I hear Good Samaritan Law, I keep thinking back to the Seinfeld episode where they all get arrested for NOT helping someone. I didn't know it applied to protect those who try to help. Thanks for the info.
Sorry, I am a newbie to this topic but what is Narcan? What exactly does it do for someone who has overdosed?
Narcan reverses the effects. If someone has overdosed it can save their life. People can have no pulse and not be breathing it can bring them back depending on how long they have been down. It's a nasal spray and injection. Nose spray is used by paramedics. Injection would only be used in hospitals I would think.
Thanks! I had no idea this even existed.
Your welcome. Happy I could answer.
I wouldn't but this is an interesting debate. I am too risk averse, I feel like it is all too common to try to help someone in this country and end up getting sued for "interfering". Sad that I feel this way..
Unfortunately it has happened. It's sad that people sued when someone was only trying to help. Its those people that make others feel the way they do. As if March 2018 38 states have made laws called "good samaritan" for administering Narcan. Administering CPR also falls under the good samaritan laws. It protects people from being sued if something goes wrong. There is also a lot to consider. I have other posts on here about it. Lets say this person has OD a few times and refuses help. Rescue has been called out 2 or 3 times to Narcan them and delayed them in getting to a person who was in a tragic car accident. I also know in Philly if rescue goes out to Narcan someone there is no charge. If you have a heart attack and are transported to hospital you are charged 800.00 or more. How is that fair. The list goes on. They want to make safe injection sites here as early as next year. These places will be staffed with nurses and doctors in the event of an overdose. They will be give…
Read more...
Unfortunately it has happened. It's sad that people sued when someone was only trying to help. Its those people that make others feel the way they do. As if March 2018 38 states have made laws called "good samaritan" for administering Narcan. Administering CPR also falls under the good samaritan laws. It protects people from being sued if something goes wrong. There is also a lot to consider. I have other posts on here about it. Lets say this person has OD a few times and refuses help. Rescue has been called out 2 or 3 times to Narcan them and delayed them in getting to a person who was in a tragic car accident. I also know in Philly if rescue goes out to Narcan someone there is no charge. If you have a heart attack and are transported to hospital you are charged 800.00 or more. How is that fair. The list goes on. They want to make safe injection sites here as early as next year. These places will be staffed with nurses and doctors in the event of an overdose. They will be given clean needles. Who is paying for this? The taxpayers. There is no consequences for these people. The list goes on. At the end of the day though if I come across someone who is not breathing and has no pulse and I have access to Narcan that would save them could I walk away? The answer is no. No matter how I feel about whats fair, whats not, and what these people are doing to themselves, family, and society I could not watch someone die if I had the means to save them. Other people have their opinions and may not want to get involved and that is their right and I totally understand why. Thanks for sharing. 😊
Read less...
A college friend of mine just passed away from drug overdose. Never thought it would happen. So sad.
Sorry to hear about your friend. It is awful what some of these people go through. Its very difficult for them to get off the drugs and stay off. Some people have mental health issues and self medicate hoping it will make them feel better. Mental health in the US is absolutely awful. There are not enough docs, appoinments take forever. There is no where for these people to turn to.
So sorry to hear it. Hard to find anyone these days who hasn't been affected.
Though I feel it would be a very rare occasion to find an OD passenger in my car, as they probably could not even figure out how to call Uber or Lyft, but if I was trained not only in administering Narcan but also had medical background so I do no tmistake an epilepcy with OD and feed the person narcan for a wrong condition causing them harm I would consider. At this point since I lack the medical background I would not feel comfortable carrying it.
Barf bags for Neshaminy Creek Brewery patrons - no problem :)
My job is right off Dunksferry Rd.
You may be surprised at what addicts can do. I have personally met addicts that function in sociery and hold a job. There are addicts that lead a double life and go to work, have a family etc.. A drug user may snort or smoke it before they get into the Uber. You can OD on it by snorting, smoking, or injecting. Snorting can take up to 15 min to reach blood stream. It is very possible for them to order an Uber and OD 20 min after snorting it . Addicts that inject it die quicker because it goes directly to blood stream.
What I have posted above is by no means to try and change how you feel about it. I just wanted you to be aware that unfortunately it is possible especially in todays society. Hopefully none of us ever have to experience it. After last night although she wasnt in my car it just made me think what if she was? What could I do? I have mixed feelings on the whole Narcan thing in general but could I just stand there and not do anything? That was why I posted just curious to what drivers thoughts were. Thanks for your post.
Hi, Yes I am in Philly area as well (more Lower Bucks than Philly), but tend to not like to work in Philly:) I prefer NJ eventhough they pay less per mile.
Narcan thing would be good for someone who does not mind administering it and is trained and has confidence and medical background to distinguish OD from some other emergency. I carry a voltmeter in my car and jumper cables, so I can easily help someone jump start a car, test their battery or alternator, because I am confident and have the training. Imagine another driver carrying jumping cables in trunk, but has no idea how to hook them up and fries all your electronics while trying to do the right thing by jumping your car. I feel the same way about carrying Narcan as I would panic and have no idea what to do other than calling 911.
Quoting my Automotive instructor: a $10,000 tool in a hands of an idiot, is a $10,000 tool in a hands of an idiot (that refers to me with Narcan) :)
I agree. I dont let anyone hook the cables up as I dont trust them. Narcan can be adminitered via the nose in a spray. If you are to use it and the person didnt OD it wouldnt hurt them. It's not harmful and not addictive. Massachusetts put lock boxes on corners where most drug overdoses occur. When someone calls them about an overdose they instruct them how to get it out and what to do with it. PA and 38 other states by 3/2018 passed good samaritan laws regarding Narcan. Just like CPR. If you administer CPR you are protected against good samaritan laws.Not trying to change anyones views just sharing info. 😊
From what I understand, reviving an OD person may turn them into a very violent person as you just took their high away that they spent a ton of money on. Of course they do not understand that you just saved their life, they only care about one thing ;)
the more we discuss this subject here the more I am leaning away from administering anything, several articles popped up recently where first respondents had to be treated for OD like symptoms caused by them helping OD patients due to highly potent synthetic garbage people take these days.
good post, made me think this through and come to a solid conclusion at least when it comes to me ;)
I would hope first responders would be wearing gloves to protect them from coming in contact with anything. There are a few stories circulating about people getting violent when given narcan. A few are not true. Yes it can be a possibility though. My issue is how many times do you Narcan someone? There are instances where its the same people day after day. Even when these people know how bad the drug is and they OD they continue using. I pick a woman up at a meeting a few times per week. When someone dies rhat goes to these meetings the others try to find out what corner they bought drugs from. Their logic is it must be good if it killed someone "I'll just use less and I'll be fine. They are using paramedics and rescue squads time when they may be needed elsewhere. In philly they want to make "safe places" for them to shoot dope. They are talking by next year to have these sites. Our tax dollars at work. Yet people cant afford their insulin and other dtugs to sustain their life …
Read more...
I would hope first responders would be wearing gloves to protect them from coming in contact with anything. There are a few stories circulating about people getting violent when given narcan. A few are not true. Yes it can be a possibility though. My issue is how many times do you Narcan someone? There are instances where its the same people day after day. Even when these people know how bad the drug is and they OD they continue using. I pick a woman up at a meeting a few times per week. When someone dies rhat goes to these meetings the others try to find out what corner they bought drugs from. Their logic is it must be good if it killed someone "I'll just use less and I'll be fine. They are using paramedics and rescue squads time when they may be needed elsewhere. In philly they want to make "safe places" for them to shoot dope. They are talking by next year to have these sites. Our tax dollars at work. Yet people cant afford their insulin and other dtugs to sustain their life but lets keep the addicts alive. I see both sides but these drug users need to have some consequences. They're making it too easy for them. On the other hand how do you walk away and not try to help these people? I dont have the answers but someone needs to find them. If I had Narcan and seen someone that needed. I would probably give it. I just couldnt walk away knowing I could save their life. I totally respect that others wouldnt want to do it because you are right you dont know how they will react. This epidemic is awful. They need to get the shit off the street and stop it from coming into the country. If its not available people cant use. Thanks for your response and honesty. After what happened the other night was just curious how drivers would feel.
Read less...
girshleonard, You are in Philly also?
Administering Narcan to someone who does not need it results in ...wait for it...nothing. The side effects of naloxone (Narcan) are flushing, dizziness, tiredness,weakness, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, body aches. All things one could live with when the alternative is overdose and death.
Absolutely not. Without proper training, benefits, and significantly higher wages, I wouldn't even touch a single rider. Do I help the occasional rider with their groceries? Of course (still not touching them).
If I was trained to administer it, I wouldn't be driving for Uber I'd be a nurse or emt where I'd get paid proportionally for the services with benefits.
What if they accuse the driver of harming them or something afterwards? What if they get investigated or jailed and accuse the driver of giving them the drugs in the first place? If anyone looked like they were on drugs, too intoxicated, or out of it, I wouldn't even accept them into my car. Absolutely not my problem, they shouldn't even be calling an Uber if they're that fucked up.
Its a nose spray. No real training involved but you can get free narcan and free training. You simply queeze the bottle in their nose. If they didnt OD and were passed out for another medical reason narcan wouldnt hurt them, no serious side effects. All narcan does is reverse an opoid overdose. Its an antagonists (in this case an opoid) block the drug from binding to the receptor. Its also falls under under the good samaritan laws. Obviously I dont think people should be using heroin however it affects people from all walks of life. These people are someones father, mother, daughter, son, etc... You may be that persons last chance to live. Of course I understand why some people would be hesitant. I just personally couldn't pull my car over and watch them turn blue, take their last breath, and watch the life leave their body when all it takes is a squirt up their nostril. Of course most just go out and use the drugs yet again only to be narcaned over and over. There always is a pos…
Read more...
Its a nose spray. No real training involved but you can get free narcan and free training. You simply queeze the bottle in their nose. If they didnt OD and were passed out for another medical reason narcan wouldnt hurt them, no serious side effects. All narcan does is reverse an opoid overdose. Its an antagonists (in this case an opoid) block the drug from binding to the receptor. Its also falls under under the good samaritan laws. Obviously I dont think people should be using heroin however it affects people from all walks of life. These people are someones father, mother, daughter, son, etc... You may be that persons last chance to live. Of course I understand why some people would be hesitant. I just personally couldn't pull my car over and watch them turn blue, take their last breath, and watch the life leave their body when all it takes is a squirt up their nostril. Of course most just go out and use the drugs yet again only to be narcaned over and over. There always is a possibility you just may save someone one day and they go and get the help they need. Dash cams, cell phone video yourself giving the drug then they cant accuse you of doing something to them. Burden of proof would be on them in the court of law to prove you sold them the drug. If your an upstanding citizen I would say they believe you not the heroin addict. With the last couple of sentences being said they really dont matter. I am not replying to your post to change your mind just trying to state that I would hope anyone who could help someone who is dying regardless of how or why a bystander wouldnt sit there and do nothing when they have the capability of saving them. IMO but then again we all have the right our opinions:)
Read less...
I was able to obtain 2 bottles (single dose each) of Narcan. I have an elderly relative who is on Tramadol. Tramadol is a synthetic Opoid pain medication. Apparently new rule (at least in PA) is, any patient receiving an Opioid for pain relief is to be given a prescription for Narcan. It is up to the patient to fill the prescription but they are not forced to fill it. I guess as long as doctor, hospital, clinic gives them the script they are in the clear. The person was able to fill it at no cost, insurance covered it. They dont need it as they take the medication as directed so I ended up with it. I hope I never have to use it but if needed I can try to help. As I've said I want no part of watching someone die in my car if I can help. I have been in the healthcare field all my life as an MA and/or Tech. I currently attend Nursing school this is why I choose to carry it. By no means do I think or feel that everyone should be willing to carry it and use it. Just didnt want anyone taking my comment as an attack for not wanting to carry it.
If Uber really wanted to do something helpful, they should offer this at no cost to drivers. That would be wonderful.
Agreed. Maybe it would give them some good press for once.
if somebody overdose in my car you're as good as dead after I take you on a tour of the city. this way I will get paid when I have to call the cops and then the cops have to call the ambulance and then they have to remove your dead ass out of my car all this takes time.
NJ drivers if you are interested in carrying Narcan (Naloxone) in your car while driving in case of a rider over dosing in your car. You could save a life. Easy to use. Covered under Goid Samaritan Laws.![]()
Just stumbled on this. I’m in recovery. Many people, like me, white collar professional, use Uber to score drugs. Heroin I’m talking about. You would have no idea. I would make a stop (on the app) at any random store, get heroin, and use before 5 minutes are over. Usually 3 minutes. And 2x I od’d in 3 years in the back of an Uber/Lyft. Once I was dropped at the ER and once the driver didn’t realize under he dropped me off. I woke up when ambulance came (called by the driver).
Carry Narcan or not, I’m not saying it’s a drivers job, just don’t be so naive to think addicts don’t use Uber, you would deny me by looking at me, or you would know if we were high or OD’ing