> too much stops the heart At the risk of pedantry, opioids don't work directly on heart function. Too much opioids in the system cause respiratory depression

> too much stops the heart At the risk of pedantry, opioids don't work directly on heart function. Too much opioids in the system cause respiratory depression. That can go on to become respiratory arrest, which can then cause cardiac arrest. Same end result, but the point is, opioid overdose is primarily a respiratory concern. In my county some EMS do not even carry Narcan (which is a debate in itself) but are directed to focus on positive pressure ventilation and transport to ER or, if carried, to gently titrate Narcan such that the person becomes gradually more alert at the ER and may be more open to addiction help, rather than the "heroic dose" that you get with IN (intra-nasal) Narcan.