Indispensable gear for going out this summer? Naloxone!

last year, She scrolled through Instagram and Morgan Godvin made a bold swing. He sent a message directly to Portland-based editor and harm reduction activist Indie Wrap Act Atmosphere, asking him to distribute naloxone, a drug that reverses opioid overdose, on his next tour. She didn’t necessarily expect a response to her DM. It was a wild request. But to Godvin’s surprise, Atmosphere not only responded, but enthusiastically agreed.

Godbin took action. With the help of her network of volunteers, she handed out naloxone (often called its brand name, Narkan) at Atmosphere shows across the country. This was not an easy task, as naloxone is often difficult and expensive to procure, and each state has its own rules for its distribution. But the effort was quick and clearly fruitful. “The show in Albuquerque literally saved people’s lives,” says Godbin. “The harm mitigationists there have undone two overdose, one during the show and the other in the parking lot.”

Godbin’s organization, Defeat overdose, Preparing for another summer tour.Immediately: drug overdose SoaringThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports severe records of more than 100,000 deaths in 2021. Synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, contribute significantly to this surge. “Drug supplies are becoming more and more unpredictable,” says Sheila Vacalia, deputy director of the Research and Academic Engagement Division of the Drug Policy Alliance. Even those who buy pills should be careful, as counterfeiters are putting pressure on fentanyl to look like prescription drugs like oxycontin, Vakharia warns. And while that’s not a common problem, overdose clusters can be caused by other non-opioid drugs that are inadvertently cross-contaminated with cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. Meanwhile, the weather became warmer, people were restless, and the festive season began. Narkan is essential as the summer of hedonism is approaching.

Godbin is not the only activist walking in the crowd. Ingela Travers-Hayward and Ohio-based couple William Perry recently set up a non-profit organization. This must be a place Our mission is to bring Narukan to a large number of summer events. From the end of May, travel across the United States to distribute Narkan at eight festivals, including Bonaloo, Tennessee, Wonders Track in Cleveland, and Burning Man, the legendary noisy art festival in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada. To do. “I knew everyone would come back and have a party this summer, probably more than usual,” says Perry. But he is worried because the drug supply is still contaminated. “They will step into the circular saw.”

Traverse-Hayward and Perry have decided to target the festival because they believe there is a large population of people who are not addictive drug users but who decide to get their hands on it. Overdose is especially likely if it is unacceptable. “We thought we would send an email to the festival. We could have one or two in Ohio,” says Travers-Hayward. “But then we started getting good feedback.” The duo had to turn down some festivals because he didn’t have the bandwidth to go there. They hand out Narukan from the booth on the premises. “I was fortunate that the venue was completely on board.”

That wasn’t always the case. Colorado-based lawyer Daniel Garcia has been carrying naloxone for a long time, and he initially encountered some resistance. Ten years ago, he volunteered for a long-standing public health organization. DanceSafe, He went to a show in Denver equipped with naloxone. The venue owner didn’t let him bring it in. “They have become a little squirrel,” he says. Garcia remembers having had problems with people using drugs at the show for some time, and was worried that he might seem to tolerate the use of drugs. “My counter, well, you admit that you’re all happening, and you’re in trouble because of it. To prevent overdose and death on the dance floor, Wouldn’t it be safer and better to have medicines and services? They didn’t buy it. “But now Garcia says it’s okay to carry naloxone. “Everyone is familiar with it. Well, lately I really Thank you for carrying.. “