Drug Use & Abuse

State the question from the list of approved topics, word for word.

Should Naloxone be allowed to be administered by anyone in order to save a life in case of a narcotic overdose emergency?

Introduce the topic and include the point and counterpoint without providing an opinion.

Naloxone effectively reverses narcotic overdose, is legal to possess with a prescription, is fairly inexpensive, and has no psychotropic effects or potential for abuse. Those who support widespread distribution of naloxone and advocate for training lay people to use it say it will potentially save more human lives. Those against its widespread use fear possible accidental overdoses, masking the addiction problem, or potential increase in drug use.

Overall argument FOR (point)

Distribution programs that allow family members and friends to administer naloxone save lives and combats the rising number of narcotic overdose cases.

#1 Argument FOR

Naloxone is easy to administer with proper education, awareness and training. Intranasal administration of naloxone has multiple benefits compared to intravenous routes, including no required medical intravenous venipuncture skills, and eliminates the risks of needle-stick injuries and blood-borne diseases.

#2 Argument FOR

People without professional medical backgrounds have demonstrated competence using other methods to respond to an emergency. Anyone with initiative and ability to follow easy instructions can save the life of someone who overdoses on opioids.

#3 Argument FOR

Many professionals support more widespread use of intranasal naloxone by non-advanced life support providers. Removing the barrier that prevents EMTs from administering naloxone could help prevent thousands of drug overdose deaths annually.

Concluding sentence

Anyone with initiative and ability to follow easy instructions can save the life of someone who overdoses on opioids.

Transition (i.e., On the other hand)

Overall argument AGAINST (counterpoint)

Whereas widespread distribution of naloxone may seem good on its face, it could lead to further complications, such as possible accidental overdoses, perpetuation of addiction or increase in drug use.

#1 Argument AGAINST

Narcotics abusers may develop a false sense of security that having access to naloxone may make them safe from an overdose. Users may increase their drug dosages due to this bravado. Users may simply increase their overall intake to off-set any withdrawal effects.

#2 Argument AGAINST

A major benefit for receiving treatment from a doctor at a medical facility is the opportunities offered to attend intervention programs to eliminate the addict’s drug using and seeking behaviors and to have safe treatment. Distributing naloxone does not address the core problem which is the actual addiction.

#3 Argument AGAINST

Participants from other studies were reluctant to administer naloxone, because giving the medication to a patient requires constant medical surveillance and monitoring until they are fully revived or until a higher echelon of medical care arrives.

Concluding Sentence:

Distributing naloxone may be a good gesture, but the risks of increased drug use, accidental overdoses and masking the core problem of addiction outweigh the benefits.