One Pill Can Kill

Naloxone, often known by its brand name, Narcan, is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications.  It can quickly reverse an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids, restoring normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose. More than one dose of naloxone may be required when stronger opioids like fentanyl are involved.

Calling 911 should be your first course of action if you suspect that someone is experiencing an overdose. A person may become unconscious or stop breathing even after being revived by naloxone.

Naloxone won’t harm someone if they’re overdosing on drugs other than opioids.  If you give someone naloxone, stay with them until emergency help arrives or for at least four hours to make sure their breathing returns to normal.  The effects are temporary, and it may take five or more minutes for the medication to reverse an overdose.  However, if a person is still unresponsive or suffering other warning signs, you can administer a second dose of the medication within 2 to 3 minutes if emergency responders have not yet arrived.

The Mississippi Medical Emergency Good Samaritan Act offers protections to those who, in good faith, seek medical assistance, including calling 911, for a person experiencing an overdose.  It applies even if the caller is under the influence of a controlled substance or in possession of a controlled substance.  §41-29-149.1 Miss. Code Ann.

Naloxone is available without a prescription and you can request it from your local pharmacy.  In addition, the Mississippi State Department of Health can mail a kit to your home for free.  Click here to fill out the request form.

 Watch this video for a demonstration of how to administer naloxone.

The Office of the Attorney General has created Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kits to provide Mississippians with the practical supplies and information that can help reduce the risk of fentanyl exposure and prevent accidental overdose.  Each kit contains:

• 2 fentanyl test strips - small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs and drug forms. You can learn more about how to use fentanyl test strips here.
• 1 drug disposal bag – small bags that you can use to deactivate unused or expired drugs.  Directions for use are on the bag.
• Educational materials, including a pill identification card – click here to see and download the card.

Through the One Pill Can Kill initiative, we are distributing these bags throughout the State.  If you would like a kit or your group would like some to distribute, please contact us at onepill@ago.ms.gov.

Medicine cabinets across Mississippi are full of unused or expired drugs, and too often, those are the pills that end up in the wrong hands.  There are many opportunities for you to dispose safely and easily of these drugs throughout the year.

Shred+Med Days:  The Attorney General’s Office holds these community events in locations around the state.  We offer both the opportunity to safely dispose of medications, as well as an easy way to get sensitive materials with personal identification information shredded to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft or other fraud.

Check back here or follow Attorney General Fitch on social media (lynnfitchag on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) to find out when new Shred+Med Days are scheduled.  If your group would like to find out more about scheduling one for your community, please contact us.

Drug Take Back Days:  Twice a year, in April and October, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosts Drug Take Back Days.  These are another opportunity for you to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths by safely disposing of unused prescription drugs.  The next one is Saturday, October 28, 2023.  Click here for a collection location near you.

Year-Round Disposal Sites:  The DEA also keeps a list of locations available for safely disposing of these medications year-round.  You can find one near you here.

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics also keeps drop boxes at certain drivers’ license offices.  Click here for that list.

We all have the power to keep prescription drugs out of the wrong hands.  Keep them safe. Clean them out. Take them back.

In partnership with Mississippi colleges and universities, we’ve made our Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kits available on campus.  To get one, visit one of these locations or email us at OnePill@ago.ms.gov to have one sent to you.

University of Mississippi:  Magee Center

University of Southern Mississippi: Moffitt Health Center

USM has also made Narcan and fentanyl test strips available in all on-campus housing at Overdose Emergency Kits.

• Mississippi Public Health Institute: ODFree.org
• Mississippi State Department of Health:  Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Program
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Stop Overdose
• Mississippi Department of Mental Health: Alcohol and Drug Services
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: National Helpline