Saving Lives with Narcan

Homeless camp in Old Town Portland - 2023

“There is a woman over here who has OD’d and needs help!”

Adam (UGM Homeless Services Director) and Evaristo (LifeChange resident) were in Old Town doing outreach, heard the cry for help and hurried over. They found a woman in a tent, passed out, blue and not breathing. Adam asked a lady in the tent next door to call 911.

Adam and Evaristo (a former addict himself), believed she was very near death. They lifted her head and administered one dose of Narcan, which is a nasal treatment for opioid overdose. After one dose her color came back, but she struggled to breathe and gasped for air. She remained unconscious and in grave danger.

They worked to resuscitate her for two very long minutes, but she remained unconscious. Then, they gave her another dose of Narcan and did more resuscitation and prayed and hoped.

After about four minutes, she suddenly stood up and walked around. In just a matter of minutes she went from being on the path to death to being alert and walking. It was amazing to witness her moving from death to life. Paramedics and police showed up a few minutes later to continue her aid.

Sadly, this scene is all too common on our streets. People are losing their lives to overdoses in increasing numbers. Our staff and LifeChange residents have used Narcan and other interventions to save lives.

UGM started storing Narcan downtown and on our Search + Rescue outreach van for events like this. Why is Narcan such an important tool? Naloxone or Narcan reverses an opioid overdose. Naloxone works by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and restores breathing. Naloxone will only work if a person has opiates in their system.

Adam said, “Narcan is a great part of our work, and I am glad we were there at the right time to help or she likely would have died. Narcan is a very effective tool as we do outreach in the streets.”

Please pray for all those we serve who are addicted, abused and so very vulnerable. We go into the camps and streets daily to connect with those in need to bring life sustaining food and aid, and to help people get off the streets into transforming programs or housing.

And pray for our staff, residents and volunteers who step into these tough situations. People are suffering and it can seem overwhelming. 

We are thankful for people like you who pray, serve, and give to help save and transform lives.