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A sniff can save a life NARCAN nasal spray is an easy-to-use antidote given to people overdosing on opioids. [Mail Tribune / Andy Atkinson] Thursday Aug 31, 2017 at 5:57 PM Aug 31, 2017 at 6:36 PM Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune @VickieAldous A container of nasal spray only a few inches tall may be all it takes to save someone's life. Julia and David Pinsky, whose son Max died of a heroin overdose, are fighting to save others by distributing free naloxone — a fast-acting medication that can reverse an opiate overdose. Opiate drugs include heroin and prescription painkillers like OxyContin and fentanyl. Through their organization Max's Mission, the couple gave out kits with NARCAN, a nasal spray form of naloxone, at Alba Park in downtown Medford on Thursday. People attracted by the Max's Mission banner, cookies and bottled water learned how to recognize an overdose and administer the nasal spray. "We came out here to say it's a problem that affects anybody," Julia Pinsky said. "The more we talk about it, the more likely we are to be able to do something about the problem." The NARCAN give-away was in recognition of International Overdose Day. On average, more than 90 Americans die every day from opioid-related overdoses, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Max Pinsky, 25, was one of four young Ashland men to die of an overdose in the winter of 2012-2013. His mother said family members believe a particularly strong batch of black tar heroin may have killed the men. Gripped by addiction, Max Pinsky overdosed and died even though he had recently spoken at the memorial service of one of his friends who overdosed, Julia Pinsky said. Since its founding, Max's Mission has distributed 150 doses of overdose antidote at events in Southern Oregon, she said. After filling out a few forms and listening to about five minutes of instructions, people were able to walk away with a small zippered pouch containing the nasal spray, written instructions with illustrations and a mouth guard in case they also need to deliver mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. People who stopped by the Max's Mission canopy tent in Alba Park had their own stories about the devastating impacts of addiction and overdose. Jamie Johnson of Medford said he sees too many local residents, especially young people, trying heroin and becoming addicted. "It's so sad. They're so wrapped up in heroin," he said. "In 2014, my brother passed away from an overdose. It just devastates you. Once they're gone, they're gone. He was 49 years old." Keith Brewer of White City said too many people are using heroin and overdosing. 'I've known quite a few. I had a good friend who died of an overdose," he said. Chester Ross heard about the event in advance and came to Medford from Gold Hill. He said more people should be concerned because anyone could have an overdose, including a family member. With the nasal spray antidote, Ross said, he now feels more prepared to help someone in need. "If I see it happening, I can save them — hopefully," Ross said. Opioids can slow or stop breathing and the beating of the heart. People who are overdosing can also vomit, then breathe in the material. Julia Pinsky said HIV Alliance funded the naloxone for Thursday's give-away and training event. For nonprofit organizations, a box with two NARCAN nasal spray containers costs $75. One dose of the nasal spray may be enough to bring someone out of an overdose, although sometimes more doses are required. NARCAN costs about $110 to $160 at a pharmacy, she said. Oregon law has changed so that pharmacists can provide quick training on how to use naloxone, then issue a prescription of the antidote to people visiting pharmacies. Local participating pharmacies include West Main Pharmacy, Costco pharmacy, Safeway pharmacy at the Medford Center, Target pharmacy and Albertsons pharmacy in Medford; Ashland Drug and Bi-Mart pharmacy in Ashland; Albertsons pharmacy in Central Point and Shady Cove Pharmacy. Oregon also has a Good Samaritan law on overdoses. Neither a person overdosing nor a person who seeks medical help can be arrested or prosecuted for possessing drugs or drug paraphernalia or for being in a place where drugs are used. People also cannot be held responsible for violating their probation or parole because of those circumstances. People can still be charged for other crimes, such as drug dealing or illegally possessing weapons. They are also not protected from being arrested for a federal warrant or warrant from another state. For more information on Max's Mission, visit www.maxsmission.org or call 458-225-9760. — Reach staff reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous.