Naloxone, an overdose-reversing drug, is increasingly popular as the country battles the opioid epidemic.

In case of an opioid overdose, Alaska State Troopers have naloxone on hand. They used Narcan for a time, which is a brand that has become synonymous with naloxone like Kleenex is to tissues.

However, Lt. Daron Cooper (troopers’ deputy commander) in the Matanuska–Susitna Borough said that one dose is not always enough to save someone.

Cooper stated that there have been times when we had to use more Narcan. Cooper said that the drug’s potency may have contributed to the need for more Narcan.

Fentanyl is one of the most powerful opioids. It was involved in almost three-quarters of all opioid deaths in Alaska last fiscal year. According to Coleman Cutchins, a state pharmacist, Kloxxado has been made available by the state as a powerful overdose-reversing medication.

Cutchins stated that the illicit, newer forms of fentanyl are “much more potent than medical-grade fentanyl.” “Much more inconsistent. “The higher dose of Naloxone is now the norm.”

Cutchins stated that the state changed from Narcan to Kloxxado during May. The state distributes the medication through Project Hope, which provides naloxone to first response personnel, including troopers such as Cooper. Cooper stated that the stronger you are, the more help you can provide.

Cooper stated, “Allowing us the freedom to push one, that being what works, clearly benefits us because it’s not having to scramble for it to get two,” Cooper added. Cooper said, “Or asking if our second is expired or other things of this nature.”

Wasilla Police Department is pleased with the increased dose of naloxone. Amanda Graham, a spokesperson for the police said that there was a significant spike in opioid overdoses in the city between May last year and March this year. In that time, there were 10 overdoses reported. This is a large number for a small city like Anchorage. In three cases, only one dose of Narcan was required to revive the victim. They needed more in the remaining cases.

She said that in one instance, we used four doses Narcan. “But we only used two doses on average.”

The Kloxxado has not been received by Wasilla police yet. They received their Narcan shipment just before the state switched. Graham stated that Kloxxado contains 8 mgs of Naloxone, while Narcan has only 4 mgs. Graham expressed excitement about Kloxxado being delivered to her department. It will save time and help people more quickly.

Graham stated that it was clear that the average dose of 4-milligrams isn’t what’s being used. It could be a time-saver while helping someone on the road or in someone’s home by not opening multiple packs of Naloxone.

Graham stated that there has been a push in the community for first responders to have naloxone. However, Graham also said that ordinary people may be exposed to opioids.

Graham stated, “If you are in active addiction and you are with a friend, or someone you use with O-Ding, give them naloxone immediately.” “Call 911. You are protected by state laws when you dial 911. Even if you are high, you won’t be arrested for saving someone’s life.

Cutchins stated that the state does not yet have an accurate picture of Kloxxado’s effect on its response to overdoses. The state had a robust system to track new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, as well as deaths, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cutchins stated that it is difficult to do this with opioids due to a variety of reasons including medical privacy and the lack of data sets. Cutchins stated that the state is currently working to improve its opioid data collection in order to make it more current and up-to date.

Cutchins stated that there is no great system in place for dealing with this. It is being improved. It will probably take some time to determine the clinical relevance of this improvement.

The state is trying to monitor the rate of opioid overdoses. Several law enforcement agencies have joined the Wasilla police and state troopers in having their officers carry Naloxone. This includes Village Public Safety Officers who were trained to use it earlier in the year. Also, the Anchorage Police Department has stated that it’s launching a naloxone program to begin early next year.