Rochester, Eleanor Gloria2020-07-292020-07-292019-06https://hdl.handle.net/1794/25417Submitted to the Undergraduate Library Research Award scholarship competition: 2019. 72 pages.The United States is in the midst of an epidemic of overdose deaths. In response, harm reduction programs commonly distribute the opioid antagonist naloxone directly to drug users so that they can act as first responders to overdose. When injected, naloxone reverses respiratory depression and can save the life of a person overdosing on opioids. As evidence for the effectiveness of these programs at reducing deaths continues to be collected, little research has been conducted into the impact of serving in this role on drug users themselves. To better understand the lived experiences of drug users with naloxone, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventeen syringe exchange participants who currently carry naloxone. Interviews revealed that carrying and administering naloxone is empowering for many drug users, because it contrasts with the powerlessness they may feel in other aspects of their lives. Peer administrators use naloxone in a way that reinforces the community of care among drug users. This aligns with the goals of harm reduction programs, which seek to empower drug users to make choices to improve their lives, without abstinence as the ultimate goal. Future programs distributing naloxone to drug users should be aware of its potential not only to save lives, but to increase drug users’ self-confidence and strengthen the network of overdose care in their communities.enCreative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0-USnaloxonePeer interventionoverdose careThesis / Dissertation