NALOXONE
Fatal overdoses are decreasing in Maine. Let’s keep that trend going!
Naloxone is the generic name for the opioid overdose reversal medication popularly known by the brand name Narcan. Countless lives have been saved because someone had naloxone handy. That’s why we give it away for free to Mainers who use drugs and their friends, families, partners, coworkers, and community members.
We’ve partnered with NextDistro to make it easy for Mainers to order free naloxone online.
Ordering through NextDistro is a great option for folks who only want naloxone kits to have on hand in case of an emergency. If you’re interested in getting naloxone and also engaging with some of our other services, please call/text/signal our main phone number (207) 319-8284 or email info@maineaccesspoints.org .
We prioritize giving free naloxone to the people who are most likely to be present when an overdose occurs. In our experience, this usually means people who are using drugs together, the people closest to someone who is using drugs, or organizations that are frequently interfacing with people who use drugs. We also prioritize sending free naloxone to people who may struggle to afford it over-the-counter. Nasal naloxone kits are now available at most pharmacies for around $35, so we ask that you try to purchase it through the pharmacy if you are able to before reaching out to us.
If you are a first responder, you can reach out to the head of your department to find out where your department gets naloxone from. Schools that are looking for naloxone should reach out to the principal or superintendent. These people can reach out to the school's DOE contact for naloxone and training materials for staff and students. If you are unsure whether you can get free naloxone from MAP, please contact us and we will work through it together!
There are two forms of naloxone that are widely available: intramuscular (IM) and nasal spray.
IM and nasal are both the same medication. The dosage can vary, but the effect is the same. Neither form is more effective than the other. The only difference is how they are administered.
Here is how to recognize and respond to an opiate overdose with intramuscular naloxone and nasal Narcan.
ABOUT NASAL NALOXONE SPRAY
The brand-name Narcan is a nasal spray, so is the brand RiVive. There are also generic options.
This form of naloxone is administered by inserting the long part of the device into the overdosing person’s nostril and pressing the plunger. The medication is absorbed through the mucous membrane, so there is no need to plug the other nostril. Give another dose every 2 minutes until the person begins breathing on their own again or help arrives.
What’s the difference between Narcan, RiVive, and generic nasal naloxone?
All of these products are the same medication, administered the same way. The difference is the dose.
Narcan and most generics are dosed at 4mg, RiVive is dosed at 3mg.
RiVive markets their product as a “compassionate dose”. Sometimes, an overdosing person is given more naloxone than is necessary to restore breathing. While the medication is not harmful (if you use it on someone who is not overdosing on opioids, it has no effect) it can cause someone who uses opioids regularly to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Some people use more drugs in an effort to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, and overdose again as soon as the naloxone wears off. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be fatal. RiVive’s lower dose is intended to reduce the risk of putting the overdose survivor into withdrawal. Studies have shown that the difference in effectiveness between a 3mg dose and a 4mg dose is minimal, but that the 3mg dose is much less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms.
Here at MAP, we carry both 4mg and 3mg nasal products. We prefer RiVive, the 3mg version, but both dosages are effective and sometimes it’s easier for us to get the 4mg version.
ABOUT INTRAMUSCULAR NALOXONE
Intramuscular naloxone is a liquid form of the medication. It is injected into a muscle through a big needle, similar to a vaccine. Vials of the medication contain a 0.4mg dose.
The IM syringe is long, sharp, and sturdy enough to go through clothing, so it’s not necessary to remove the overdosing person’s clothes while giving naloxone. We recommend injecting it into one of the big muscle groups – arms and legs are usually the best areas. The medication is absorbed through the muscle, rather than intravenously so you don’t have to worry about finding a vein.
As with nasal naloxone, another dose of IM should be administered every two minutes until the overdosing person resumes breathing or help arrives.
Here is how to recognize and respond to an opiate overdose with nasal Narcan.
Get Trained
We offer no-cost opioid overdose response trainings statewide.
Our free monthly naloxone training on Zoom is open to all. It takes place on the 4th Tuesday of every month from 5-6pm. The link is available on our public calendar!
We also offer in-person trainings for groups, workplaces, schools, churches, and families. Reach out to our Director of Overdose Prevention to schedule a training. Call/text/signal (207) 319-0134 or email mikki@maineaccesspoints.org
overdose response pamphlets & videos
Download pamphlet for intramuscular naloxone:
English / Spanish / Portuguese / French / Arabic / Somali / Farsi
Download pamphlet for nasal narcan:
English / Spanish / Portuguese / French / Arabic / Somali / Farsi
good samaritan law
Good Samaritan laws are designed to encourage people at the scene of an overdose to call 9-1-1 without worrying about arrest or other legal consequences. Further is what you need to know about Maine’s Good Samaritan law.
Who does the new Good Samaritan Law protect?
A protected person is:
A person who, in good faith, seeks medical assistance for a person experiencing a drug-related overdose
A person who is experiencing an overdose and needs medical assistance
A person who is “rendering aid” at the scene of an overdose. "Rendering aid" means performing any action that involves looking after a person who is experiencing a suspected drug-related overdose.
What does Maine’s Good Samaritan Law protect from?
A protected person is immune from arrest and prosecution for most non-violent crimes, including all drug crimes. It also provides immunity from revocation and violation of conditions of release, probation, supervised community confinement, community confinement monitoring, deferred disposition, and administrative release.
Crimes that are excluded
Crimes against children (such as child endangerment)
Crimes that are considered “Violent” crimes
OUI
OUI on a watercraft
If you believe you were unjustly arrested for a crime at the scene of an overdose that should have been covered by the Good Samaritan law reach out to the ACLU of Maine Legal Intake Line by visiting: https://action.aclu.org/legal-intake/me-legal-intake
**Due to a recent Maine Supreme Court decision in Billy Beaulieu Vs. State of Maine it has been made clear that it is important to acknowledge that you believe that the person is experiencing a drug related overdose to ensure that you receive the protections of Maine’s Good Samaritan Law.
If you have any questions or would like to get trained in overdose identification and response you can call/text/Signal the Director of Overdose Prevention at: 207-319-8284
