As the number of overdose deaths continues to rise across the nation and in Florida, one man is saving people from overdoses using a naloxone injection.“I started using it instead of the Narcan because I was getting frustrated with using multiple doses over and over and over,” Chris Chodkowski, the primary trauma addiction therapist at Recovery Unplugged in Lake Worth said.Zimhi uses the same ingredient as the overdose reversal nasal spray, Narcan, which was just approved for over-the-counter sales in the United States.Overdose reversal drug sold in pharmacies: Narcan available over the counterHowever, Zimhi is an injection like an EpiPen and has a higher dosage of Naloxone. “I carry it all the time with me,” Chodkowski said. “I have one in the car, I have one in my pocket, I have one in my bag. I think every home should have one; especially with what is going on with our opioid epidemic.”Five hundred and twenty-eight people died from an opioid overdose in Palm Beach County alone in 2020, according to a report from the Florida Health Department. The Health Department also reported the number of drug overdose deaths more than doubled from 2014 to 2016.Chodkowski has saved 19 people from overdose using the naloxone injection. He said a majority of the individuals he saved were experiencing homelessness.Narcan for dogs: Retired firefighter teaches local dog owners how to save K9 lives“We go and bring them dinner,” he said. “Unfortunately, there has been times where there is an overdose there or there is an overdose at a Publix. It’s everywhere on our streets, but we’re turning a blind eye to it.”Chodkowski said Recovery Unplugged can serve about 50 clients simultaneously and operate at capacity most of the time.“There are 1,400 treatment centers in the state of Florida, and they are constantly full,” he said.The Good Samaritan Act protects people in Florida who are trying to save others during a health emergency from civil liability.“There is no danger,” Chodkowski said. “You are getting the same ingredient; the same naloxone pushed into you.”The Zimhi company has donated cases of the drug to Chodkowski. PBSO deputies start carrying Narcan: All departments in WPBF 25 News viewing area now have the nasal sprayTo learn more about overcoming addiction through Recovery Unplugged, click here.For help with recovery from the Centers for Family Services of Palm Beach County, click here. For recovery resources through the Hanley Foundation, click here.
As the number of overdose deaths continues to rise across the nation and in Florida, one man is saving people from overdoses using a naloxone injection.
“I started using it instead of the Narcan because I was getting frustrated with using multiple doses over and over and over,” Chris Chodkowski, the primary trauma addiction therapist at Recovery Unplugged in Lake Worth said.
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Zimhi uses the same ingredient as the overdose reversal nasal spray, Narcan, which was just approved for over-the-counter sales in the United States.
Overdose reversal drug sold in pharmacies: Narcan available over the counter
However, Zimhi is an injection like an EpiPen and has a higher dosage of Naloxone.
“I carry it all the time with me,” Chodkowski said. “I have one in the car, I have one in my pocket, I have one in my bag. I think every home should have one; especially with what is going on with our opioid epidemic.”
Five hundred and twenty-eight people died from an opioid overdose in Palm Beach County alone in 2020, according to a report from the Florida Health Department.
The Health Department also reported the number of drug overdose deaths more than doubled from 2014 to 2016.
Chodkowski has saved 19 people from overdose using the naloxone injection. He said a majority of the individuals he saved were experiencing homelessness.
Narcan for dogs: Retired firefighter teaches local dog owners how to save K9 lives
“We go and bring them dinner,” he said. “Unfortunately, there has been times where there is an overdose there or there is an overdose at a Publix. It’s everywhere on our streets, but we’re turning a blind eye to it.”
Chodkowski said Recovery Unplugged can serve about 50 clients simultaneously and operate at capacity most of the time.
“There are 1,400 treatment centers in the state of Florida, and they are constantly full,” he said.
The Good Samaritan Act protects people in Florida who are trying to save others during a health emergency from civil liability.
“There is no danger,” Chodkowski said. “You are getting the same ingredient; the same naloxone pushed into you.”
The Zimhi company has donated cases of the drug to Chodkowski.
PBSO deputies start carrying Narcan: All departments in WPBF 25 News viewing area now have the nasal spray
To learn more about overcoming addiction through Recovery Unplugged, click here.
For help with recovery from the Centers for Family Services of Palm Beach County, click here.
For recovery resources through the Hanley Foundation, click here.