San Francisco is experiencing a record number of drug overdoses. Here’s how to reverse one

San Francisco’s overdose crisis has reached the deadliest proportions in the city’s history, claiming more lives in just the first 10 months of 2023 than any year on record. 

The city saw 692 overdose deaths, 82% of which were caused by fentanyl, from January to October this year. To combat the crisis, the San Francisco Department of Public Health has distributed over 100,000 doses of the overdose reversal medication naloxone—also known as Narcan—between January and September.

Legislators have worked to supply Narcan in libraries, schools and gas stations. Meanwhile, Walgreens announced it would start selling the drug over the counter at its stores in September.

More widely available than ever, knowing how to use Narcan is sadly an essential life skill for San Franciscans—as well as people across the country. 

Drawing from organizations like the National Harm Reduction Coalition and its San Francisco affiliate, the D.O.P.E. Project, we’ve put together a guide to Narcan—what it is, how to use it and where to find it throughout the Bay Area.

Narcan is a simple-to-use nasal spray device used to deploy naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose—not a syringe or an EpiPen or any other kind of shot. Naloxone is an “opioid antagonist,” meaning it effectively blocks our opioid receptors. Similar to the way people say “Kleenex” for “tissue” or “Xerox” for “photocopy,” Narcan has become the colloquial term for naloxone. But Narcan is actually the brand name of the dispenser; naloxone is the drug.

A standard issue box of naloxone contains two sprays. Each one contains one dose of medicine and cannot be reused. You can carry it around in a backpack or your car for years as long as you avoid exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures. 

If you suspect someone is overdosing, Narcan can save their life. If someone is unconscious but not overdosing, Narcan will not hurt them.

But it can be difficult to recognize whether someone is sleeping, high or actually overdosing—even emergency professionals have trouble.

The main sign to look for in an overdose is a lack of breathing. Victims of overdose are very still. They might exhibit shallow breathing or even snoring or gurgling sounds coming from their mouth. Additionally, the color may be draining from their skin or lips, leaving them blue, purple or ashen. If their eyes are open, they might have “pinpoint pupils.”

If you suspect an overdose, try to get a reaction from the person. The D.O.P.E. Project recommends first administering “verbal Narcan” by calling out to them with something like, “Hey, I think you’re overdosing. If you don’t wake up, I’m going to Narcan you.” If the person doesn’t want it, they’ll wake up and tell you.

If they don’t react, one expert recommended lightly kicking the bottom of their foot or rustling their elbow to start. If there’s no movement, rub their sternum somewhat vigorously. If there is still no reaction, it is time to call 911 and get your Narcan.

Importantly, people administering Narcan should be aware that the person you help will likely be startled and disoriented when they wake up. Naloxone is tremendously effective because it sends the victim into immediate withdrawal, which is extremely traumatizing and painful. “They do get agitated,” one healthcare worker said, but not violent.

“Nobody who’s given [Narcan] has regretted it,” she added.

If the victim does not appear to be breathing and is not reacting when you try to rouse them, follow these steps.

Step 1: Call 911 and leave the phone on speaker.

Step 2: Lay the person on their back. Support their neck with your hand.

Step 3: Spray the entire dose of Narcan into one nostril and look for signs of breathing. Narcan can take two to three minutes to work.

If the victim wakes up:

Tell them what happened. “Friend, you were overdosing. Everything is OK.” The person will be disoriented. Give them some space and gently start talking to them, welcoming them back into consciousness. Stay with the person until medical professionals arrive, as naloxone wears off as soon as 30 minutes after a dose and victims can resume overdosing if it wears off.

If the victim doesn’t wake up:

Spray the second dose of Narcan in the opposite nostril. Some overdose cases will require four to six sprays of naloxone to revive the victim. Administer rescue breathing and CPR if you have been trained. Turn the person on their side to prevent choking and stay until medical professionals arrive, if possible.

If you can provide rescue breathing to the victim, do it. An overdose happens because the drug slows the body’s functions to a point where breathing stops. If you can help the victim breathe through rescue breathing or chest compressions while waiting for the naloxone to take effect, it could have a big impact. For a complete orientation to administering Narcan, watch this short video from the D.O.P.E. Project on YouTube.

If you feel that you could potentially assist an overdose victim someday, it is important to get Narcan to keep on hand. Locals who work in hard-hit areas often carry it with them in their cars or bags.

It’s very easy to find, and widely available for free. All Bay Area Walgreens and CVS pharmacies carry Narcan—no prescription necessary. The drug is covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare and other medical insurance companies.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health recommends that the general public visit the Community Behavioral Health Services Pharmacy, as other free resources prioritize communities that are most vulnerable to drug overdoses.

California residents can order naloxone for free online from the nonprofit End Overdose. You only need to pay for shipping to your door.

Check the map to see where you can find Narcan for free near you and scroll down below the map for a listing of organizations that can help.

Community Behavioral Health Services Pharmacy

📍 1380 Howard St.
🕑 Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
☎️ (415) 255-3659
🔗 Visit Website

The health department runs this pharmacy and recommends those outside the at-risk community come here for Narcan.

Bayview Hunters Point Foundation

📍 1625 Carroll Ave.
🕑 Mon.-Fri, 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
☎️ (415) 468-5100
🔗 Visit website

Harm Reduction Therapy Center’s Mobile Sites

📍 Various locations
🕑 Wed., 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 2:30-5 p.m. | Thurs., 1-3:30 p.m. | Fri., 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
☎️ (415)863-4282
🔗 Visit website

San Francisco AIDS Foundation 6th Street Harm Reduction Center

📍 117 Sixth St.
🕑 Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
☎️ (415)487-3000
🔗 Visit website
They also provide trainings.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation Mobile Sites

📍Various locations
🕑 Mon., 4-6 p.m. | Tues., 4-6 p.m. | Wed., 6-8 p.m. | Thurs.: 7-9 p.m. | Fri., 7-9 p.m.
☎️ (415) 487-3000
🔗 Visit website
Look for the big white van.

Homeless Youth Alliance

📍 1572 Haight St.
🕑 Mon., Wed., Fri., 5:30-7:30 p.m.
☎️ (415) 318-6384
🔗 Visit website

Lyon-Martin Community Health Services

📍 1735 Mission St.
🕑 Tues., 5-7:30 p.m.
☎️ (415) 565-7667
🔗 Visit website

Glide Harm Reduction Services

📍 330 Ellis St.
🕑 Mon., Tues., Fri., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
☎️ (415) 674-5180
🔗 Visit website

Hospitality House Self-Help Centers

📍 169 Sixth St. | 146 Leavenworth St.
🕑 Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-8 p.m. | Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
☎️ (415) 369-3040
🔗 Visit website

San Francisco Community Health Center

📍730 Polk St.
🕑 Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-4:30 p.m.
☎️ (415)292-3400
🔗 Visit website

St. James Infirmary

📍 234 Eddy St.
🕑 Fri., 6-9 p.m.
☎️ (415)554-8494
🔗 Visit website

Tom Waddell Urban Health Clinic

📍 230 Golden Gate Ave.
🕑 Mon.-Fri,: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
☎️ (415) 355-7400
🔗 Visit website