One Man’s Effort to Tame the Opioid Crisis
Little Five Points pharmacist, Ira Katz, has been spreading the word that the Narcan device could be purchased without a prescription to reverse drug overdoses and save lives.
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.
We touched based with Ira Katz, the Little Five Points pharmacist who was spreading the word in his industry and among private citizens that the Narcan (naloxone) device could be purchased without a prescription to reverse drug overdoses and save lives. “We are continuing to dispense it at no charge, and the word is out that it is readily available,” he said.
According to Katz, another positive factor based on heightened media awareness is that addicts themselves have become more vigilant and more carefully screen whom they buy from and what the ingredients are.
Katz says that his pharmacy gives out between 15 and 20 units a month and more to nurses, bars and restaurants. “I don’t have statistics; but I surmise that this drug has made a huge difference in deaths. It’s out there, and that’s a good thing! People know that they can help rescue friends and loved ones. Since the Atlanta Jewish Times story this past July, I have not had to save anyone.”
On CBS “This Morning” Dec. 17, a county in Ohio reported that since the recent uptick in the use of Narcan, overdose deaths are down 31 percent.
View the original story here.
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