At one time a drug overdose was often a death sentence. There is now a life-saving measure at the disposal of not only emergency responders, but the general public. It's called Naloxone. As part of the series "Addicted: Heroin's Hold," Iris St. Meran explores what heroin does to the body and how Naloxone has become an antidote.
AUBURN, N.Y. -- Like any drug user, heroin addicts like the way the drug makes them feel.
"It was way more intense. Something I've never felt in my life," said Aaron Spano.
It was a feeling he sought day after day. Luckily, Aaron said he never overdosed. For those who do there is now an antidote. Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a lifeline. It only takes seconds for it to start counteracting the effects of heroin.
"It almost looks like magic to the unaware. The person looks dead, they're gray or blue, they're breathing is very shallow, you can't see them breathing, their heart rate is very slow you can't feel a pulse. The next second, they snap awake as if being brought back from the dead," said Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann.
EMTs aren't the only ones who carry it. Police, firefighters and now parents have it. Some national drug store chains have announced they will sell it without a prescription. But even with all this access, it isn't a miracle cure.
"Narcan is an emergency intervention, used when someone has stopped or almost stopped breathing. That's how we fix that, temporarily. Often what happens is after receiving Narcan, is they'll refuse to go to the hospital or they'll go to the hospital and be there for two hours and check out," said TLC Medical Services Operations Director Lon Fricano.
Some on the front lines said in some cases Naloxone was a crutch that enabled users to use again. Its use can turn into a vicious cycle, but emergency personnel and authorities are willing to take that chance.
"Saving a life comes first,” Budelmann said, “If they die, there's no chance to reach them to get treatment, get help. If they survive this overdose, we at least have a chance."
Dr. Adam Duckett, the Cayuga County coroner, agrees.
"I'd rather give it a shot using the Narcan to bring these people back and try to give them the help they need, but it has certainly given a false sense of comfort," said Duckett.