Surgeon general urges more Americans to carry opioid antidote naloxone

[WCCO Radio, April 14, 2018] The U.S. surgeon general has issued an advisory recommending that more Americans carry the opioid overdose-reversing drug, naloxone.

The drug, sold under the brand name Narcan (among others), can very quickly restore normal breathing in someone suspected of overdosing on opioids, including heroin and prescription pain medications.

Allina Health addiction specialist and psychiatrist Dr. Roger Laroche talked with WCCO Radio about this recommendation.