[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":684},["ShallowReactive",2],{"global-page-header":3,"global-page-donate":12,"blog-article-end-overdose-welcomes-jim-crotty-as-drug-policy-advisor":13,"blog-related-end-overdose-welcomes-jim-crotty-as-drug-policy-advisor":164},{"_createdAt":4,"_id":5,"_rev":6,"_type":7,"_updatedAt":8,"name":9,"nav_donate_link":10,"nav_fundraise_link":11},"2024-09-30T01:16:08Z","d54a3beb-5bc7-4a08-9614-a7fed5276091","a0rhxOMq2E1nfR5ge0KLAh","pages","2025-02-28T22:34:20Z","GLOBAL","https:\u002F\u002Fdonate.endoverdose.net\u002Fgive\u002F546264\u002F#!\u002Fdonation\u002Fcheckout","https:\u002F\u002Fdonate.endoverdose.net\u002Fcampaign\u002Ffundraise-for-end-overdose\u002Fc548625",{"_createdAt":4,"_id":5,"_rev":6,"_type":7,"_updatedAt":8,"name":9,"nav_donate_link":10,"nav_fundraise_link":11},{"_createdAt":14,"_id":15,"_rev":16,"_type":17,"_updatedAt":18,"article":19,"author_ref":150,"category":153,"date":154,"image":155,"slug":160,"title":163},"2026-06-25T17:45:10Z","9a7b2b79-f2c2-4e32-805b-c484068c0b76","yg87jSNW9k7BTfAGSQBfkY","news","2026-06-25T17:57:33Z",[20,31,39,47,54,61,69,78,86,94,102,110,118,126,134,142],{"_key":21,"_type":22,"children":23,"markDefs":29,"style":30},"f18cbce7ad34","block",[24],{"_key":25,"_type":26,"marks":27,"text":28},"91020b261de5","span",[],"As End Overdose exponentially evolves, we continue to seek out guidance from friends across industries and in their areas of expertise. Their perspectives are essential to our growth, whether it’s enhancing the medical intricacies of our online trainings, the impact of our awareness campaigns in entertainment, or our broader outreach efforts nationwide.",[],"normal",{"_key":32,"_type":22,"children":33,"markDefs":38,"style":30},"8f078632f4ee",[34],{"_key":35,"_type":26,"marks":36,"text":37},"34dd7deeab4e",[],"Thus, we’re excited to welcome Jim Crotty as our Drug Policy Advisor!",[],{"_key":40,"_type":22,"children":41,"markDefs":46,"style":30},"57912dd7c6fc",[42],{"_key":43,"_type":26,"marks":44,"text":45},"507acf78efbf",[],"Jim is a subject matter expert and global thought leader in drug policy and transnational organized crime. Jim spent over 12 years with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), serving in strategic, tactical, and operational positions domestically and overseas. In his final assignment with DEA, Jim served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Administrator. ",[],{"_key":48,"_type":22,"children":49,"markDefs":53,"style":30},"6cb0167dab54",[50],{"_key":43,"_type":26,"marks":51,"text":52},[],"Jim is currently a Law Enforcement Outreach Manager at Meta Platforms, Inc., where he is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic relationships with law enforcement and other government agencies to help combat criminal activity online and in the real world. Jim joined Meta after 1.5 years at the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, where he led the Investigative Support Section, a real-time intelligence center that prevents and responds to major crimes taking place in the District of Columbia. Jim joined MPD in March 2023 after two years at The Cohen Group, a strategic advisory firm founded and led by former Secretary of Defense William Cohen. While at The Cohen Group, Jim led multiple client teams across the defense, cybersecurity, healthcare, energy, and national security sectors. ",[],{"_key":55,"_type":22,"children":56,"markDefs":60,"style":30},"219d348fb1d6",[57],{"_key":43,"_type":26,"marks":58,"text":59},[],"In addition to End Overdose, Jim currently serves on the Advisory Board of United Against Fentanyl, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on ending the illicit drug criss. Jim is a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the University of South Florida’s Global National Security Institute (GNSI) and the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS), and an active member of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) Network of Experts. He holds a JD from the University of Alabama School of Law, MA in Political Science from Boston College, and BA in Political Science from Auburn University, summa cum laude.",[],{"_key":62,"_type":22,"children":63,"markDefs":68,"style":30},"185ca3392e9f",[64],{"_key":65,"_type":26,"marks":66,"text":67},"d0eaded6eeaa",[],"In honor of Jim joining the team, we spoke with him about his accomplishments made via collaborations, his vision for overdose prevention and response throughout the country, and much more!",[],{"_key":70,"_type":22,"children":71,"markDefs":76,"style":77},"7af37d17672f",[72],{"_key":73,"_type":26,"marks":74,"text":75},"af8304e8ee7d",[],"What’s one key lesson you’ve learned throughout your career that you’d like to share?",[],"h3",{"_key":79,"_type":22,"children":80,"markDefs":85,"style":30},"b06439b1fde6",[81],{"_key":82,"_type":26,"marks":83,"text":84},"bace81deb187",[],"Just one?? It’s difficult to narrow it down to just one, so I’ll see if I can weave a few different lessons into a single response. One of the key pieces of advice I learned early on, even before I started my professional career, was to “find what drives you,” the idea being that you will work harder and be much happier when you pursue something you’re passionate about. Of course, there will be times you have to do things you aren’t passionate about – and in those times it’s important to do your very best. People notice and that’s often what leads to new, more exciting opportunities. And while you shouldn’t blindly accept every opportunity that comes along, I suggest keeping an open mind and saying “yes” to new experiences whenever you can. I cheated a little, but I think there’s a through line with those lessons.",[],{"_key":87,"_type":22,"children":88,"markDefs":93,"style":77},"36da135a5d7d",[89],{"_key":90,"_type":26,"marks":91,"text":92},"c918a1235631",[],"You’ve had an extensive journey in drug policy, law enforcement, and teaching as a professor. What are a few accomplishments you’re most proud of?",[],{"_key":95,"_type":22,"children":96,"markDefs":101,"style":30},"0da1df87be45",[97],{"_key":98,"_type":26,"marks":99,"text":100},"45a93dddb439",[],"I’ve had a really rewarding career so far and still have a long way to go, but I’m grateful for all the experiences I’ve had across government, industry, and academia. I’ve taken credit for a lot of accomplishments, but none have been individual efforts. One of the things I learned from my first supervisor at DEA (shout out Elizabeth!) is that whenever you celebrate successes it’s “we,” and whenever you’re learning from mistakes it’s “me.” That’s stuck with me over the years and the truth is any good things I may have done is the result of a lot of help along the way.",[],{"_key":103,"_type":22,"children":104,"markDefs":109,"style":77},"8c62af526747",[105],{"_key":106,"_type":26,"marks":107,"text":108},"006916ef2950",[],"What inspired you to join End Overdose’s Advisory Board?",[],{"_key":111,"_type":22,"children":112,"markDefs":117,"style":30},"e9712cb53ddc",[113],{"_key":114,"_type":26,"marks":115,"text":116},"d8778b1b3bb6",[],"In the first place, it’s a mission I care very deeply about, and I’m always looking for additional ways to contribute. I’ve been following End Overdose for a long time and have watched it grow into a leading voice in drug prevention, awareness, and overdose prevention, especially among young people. That makes me sound old – and I am, relative to End Overdose’s key demographic – but as I learned from Ed Ternan at Song for Charlie, it’s not always the message, but also who delivers it. End Overdose has the expertise and the credibility to reach those in a position to make the biggest difference – young people, or youths, the next generation, etc. I’m humbled and honored to be asked.",[],{"_key":119,"_type":22,"children":120,"markDefs":125,"style":77},"628818260015",[121],{"_key":122,"_type":26,"marks":123,"text":124},"27d2dc4cfd6f",[],"What do you hope to see for the future of overdose prevention and response throughout the country?",[],{"_key":127,"_type":22,"children":128,"markDefs":133,"style":30},"4df2976ff9f2",[129],{"_key":130,"_type":26,"marks":131,"text":132},"f46fd28884ee",[],"How about more of it? It’s taken too long, but we’ve learned a lot of lessons from the opioid crisis. Chief among them is that we have tools and strategies that work. Demand reduction works. Supply reduction works. Overdose prevention works. Treatment and recovery work. But we need more of them – all of them – working in tandem to continue to drive down substance use and overdose deaths in the U.S. and around the world. The rate of overdose deaths continues to decline; now is the time to double down on all of the above.",[],{"_key":135,"_type":22,"children":136,"markDefs":141,"style":77},"f2eb445e3790",[137],{"_key":138,"_type":26,"marks":139,"text":140},"57dd9312b42a",[],"Is there anything else you'd like to add?",[],{"_key":143,"_type":22,"children":144,"markDefs":149,"style":30},"92cb617ea7eb",[145],{"_key":146,"_type":26,"marks":147,"text":148},"2bc451ae93c3",[],"Don’t underestimate the power of nonprofits and civil society organizations like End Overdose. You are some of the greatest change makers in the world. Stay the course.",[],{"image":151,"title":152},null,"End Overdose ","everything","2026-06-25",{"_type":156,"asset":157},"image",{"_ref":158,"_type":159},"image-022f41807b94ecbee68f6a9b87a225581a4880ab-2316x1496-jpg","reference",{"_type":161,"current":162},"slug","end-overdose-welcomes-jim-crotty-as-drug-policy-advisor","End Overdose Welcomes Jim Crotty As Drug Policy Advisor",[165,499,590],{"_createdAt":166,"_id":167,"_rev":168,"_system":169,"_type":17,"_updatedAt":172,"article":173,"author_ref":491,"category":153,"date":154,"image":493,"slug":496,"title":498},"2026-06-25T18:32:43Z","988148c2-b423-42a8-bdaf-b6305a4c6c8d","yg87jSNW9k7BTfAGSQTUDy",{"base":170},{"id":167,"rev":171},"yg87jSNW9k7BTfAGSQTJDi","2026-06-25T18:43:08Z",[174,182,190,198,207,215,219,228,238,246,254,262,270,277,285,289,297,304,312,320,328,340,347,355,363,367,375,386,394,402,410,418,426,434,438,446,453,460,468,476,483],{"_key":175,"_type":22,"children":176,"markDefs":181,"style":30},"dc05630432f5",[177],{"_key":178,"_type":26,"marks":179,"text":180},"8f16d501c7f9",[],"At End Overdose, we’re grateful to be a part of the electronic music family. Through our partnerships with promoters ranging from Breakaway to Insomniac, we’ve been afforded the ability to reach millions of ravers with lifesaving education and resources en masse. And once they’re off the festival grounds, they’re equipped to encourage safer, healthier communities across the country. ",[],{"_key":183,"_type":22,"children":184,"markDefs":189,"style":30},"6d37ef7f96f1",[185],{"_key":186,"_type":26,"marks":187,"text":188},"6be8b5d09185",[],"In anticipation of festivals including Beyond Wonderland at the Gorge, Breakaway Minnesota, and Electric Forest, we’ve curated a list of must-see artists with quick-hitting interviews to get fans buzzing before they even reach the barricades. ",[],{"_key":191,"_type":22,"children":192,"markDefs":197,"style":30},"5c616e3e0366",[193],{"_key":194,"_type":26,"marks":195,"text":196},"6938701d04dd",[],"Read on below for our conversations with Close Friends Only, Ravenscoon, Bella Renee, and Wuki!",[],{"_key":199,"_type":22,"children":200,"markDefs":205,"style":206},"e5552c91515f",[201],{"_key":202,"_type":26,"marks":203,"text":204},"ac38629e52c4",[],"ELECTRIC FOREST",[],"h1",{"_key":208,"_type":22,"children":209,"markDefs":214,"style":77},"36fa92e51fe2",[210],{"_key":211,"_type":26,"marks":212,"text":213},"f77ab5233624",[],"CLOSE FRIENDS ONLY",[],{"_key":216,"_type":156,"asset":217},"ef5337705c32",{"_ref":218,"_type":159},"image-49ce7d4e3c9366d7eb342abe2447a6b7c9b8e16e-7008x4672-jpg",{"_key":220,"_type":22,"children":221,"markDefs":227,"style":30},"2cc3ad1492b6",[222],{"_key":223,"_type":26,"marks":224,"text":226},"723952ab4cff",[225],"em","[Image courtesy of Ethan Bartley]",[],{"_key":229,"_type":22,"children":230,"markDefs":237,"style":30},"0c2c03b26c40",[231],{"_key":232,"_type":26,"marks":233,"text":236},"7b843280a171",[225,234,235],"strong","underline","What song has been a staple in your sets this year?",[],{"_key":239,"_type":22,"children":240,"markDefs":245,"style":30},"904957682adf",[241],{"_key":242,"_type":26,"marks":243,"text":244},"ca64adfe4a05",[],"Our “Somebody to Love” - Justin Bieber edit is one of out favorite moments we share with the crowd at just about every show.",[],{"_key":247,"_type":22,"children":248,"markDefs":253,"style":30},"6c99acb6b8ee",[249],{"_key":250,"_type":26,"marks":251,"text":252},"5cfdb54ba0d0",[234,235,225],"What're you most excited about your set this weekend?",[],{"_key":255,"_type":22,"children":256,"markDefs":261,"style":30},"2261ccc8336a",[257],{"_key":258,"_type":26,"marks":259,"text":260},"f54755a66423",[],"Electric Forest is a bucket list festival for all 3 of us. Over the last couple years, we’ve always watched sets from the festival and use them to get us inspired in hopes to play it one day, and here we are!",[],{"_key":263,"_type":22,"children":264,"markDefs":269,"style":30},"907013260cd0",[265],{"_key":266,"_type":26,"marks":267,"text":268},"909eaf22c316",[225,234,235],"What's next for you after the festival? What do you have in store for the rest of 2026?",[],{"_key":271,"_type":22,"children":272,"markDefs":276,"style":30},"27448e3d2058",[273],{"_key":258,"_type":26,"marks":274,"text":275},[],"We just announced our tour, “Hug Your Homies.” We are playing headlines and festivals around the states! Super excited to get back on the road, playing more shows and working on more music.",[],{"_key":278,"_type":22,"children":279,"markDefs":284,"style":77},"4ca7fe15aff6",[280],{"_key":281,"_type":26,"marks":282,"text":283},"a8b03f5ebfb9",[],"RAVENSCOON",[],{"_key":286,"_type":156,"asset":287},"217be2d86da9",{"_ref":288,"_type":159},"image-17fd14c0cdcb0babcc8ec228670586c757d8c3c4-1142x804-png",{"_key":290,"_type":22,"children":291,"markDefs":296,"style":30},"121e6e109731",[292],{"_key":293,"_type":26,"marks":294,"text":295},"2c996878e549",[225],"[Image courtesy of Ravenscoon]",[],{"_key":298,"_type":22,"children":299,"markDefs":303,"style":30},"7c328b9b2320",[300],{"_key":301,"_type":26,"marks":302,"text":236},"a902a5c8072d",[225,234,235],[],{"_key":305,"_type":22,"children":306,"markDefs":311,"style":30},"606bb33207fb",[307],{"_key":308,"_type":26,"marks":309,"text":310},"bd0bba983aa8",[],"My Flume flip of “Say It.” After getting support from industry giants, including Griz, John Summit, and Murph - this flip feels like the summer anthem.",[],{"_key":313,"_type":22,"children":314,"markDefs":319,"style":30},"598e277fa6f1",[315],{"_key":316,"_type":26,"marks":317,"text":318},"7d9bd1094e2d",[225,234,235],"What're you most excited about for Electric Forest?",[],{"_key":321,"_type":22,"children":322,"markDefs":327,"style":30},"d6506a84c83a",[323],{"_key":324,"_type":26,"marks":325,"text":326},"ddbce2924cf9",[],"Honestly besides my set, I am most excited to just walk around with my wife and friends and watch sets from the GA crowd. I'm going to be Pashmina Paul all weekend.",[],{"_key":329,"_type":22,"children":330,"markDefs":339,"style":30},"0e9f1bfbd76f",[331,335],{"_key":332,"_type":26,"marks":333,"text":334},"05147207ec73",[225,234,235],"What's next for you after the festival?",{"_key":336,"_type":26,"marks":337,"text":338},"705eb08450aa",[234,235],"I",[],{"_key":341,"_type":22,"children":342,"markDefs":346,"style":30},"e5eaea5ecbe6",[343],{"_key":336,"_type":26,"marks":344,"text":345},[],"I have a busy late summer festival schedule. My soonest shows after are Sound Haven and Fiddlers Green in Denver with Excision and Jantsen, as well as Big Dub festival. I'm very excited for all of those. I'm also trying to finish my third album by August 1st so I'm going to be in grind mode all of July.",[],{"_key":348,"_type":22,"children":349,"markDefs":354,"style":206},"56c30b173239",[350],{"_key":351,"_type":26,"marks":352,"text":353},"f1c668abef1d",[],"BEYOND WONDERLAND AT THE GORGE & BREAKAWAY MINNESOTA",[],{"_key":356,"_type":22,"children":357,"markDefs":362,"style":77},"8d58e4c6b790",[358],{"_key":359,"_type":26,"marks":360,"text":361},"9ba16478c8d5",[],"BELLA RENEE",[],{"_key":364,"_type":156,"asset":365},"b987c2e0b125",{"_ref":366,"_type":159},"image-2180c38b1cf261ab4afd470d8d3ba77827853914-1074x746-png",{"_key":368,"_type":22,"children":369,"markDefs":374,"style":30},"0d996d09b186",[370],{"_key":371,"_type":26,"marks":372,"text":373},"cff86d46707d",[225],"[Image courtesy of Seb Sandler]",[],{"_key":376,"_type":22,"children":377,"markDefs":385,"style":30},"926ae88ef18d",[378,381],{"_key":379,"_type":26,"marks":380,"text":236},"718cd87affaa",[234,235,225],{"_key":382,"_type":26,"marks":383,"text":384},"2d89726cc8af",[],"\nMy song “IMY” with Reaper is forever a staple on every set, it’s been really beautiful to play a new city and hear them scream singing my lyrics back to me – that is never going to get old. :)",[],{"_key":387,"_type":22,"children":388,"markDefs":393,"style":30},"bbc7f6cd68df",[389],{"_key":390,"_type":26,"marks":391,"text":392},"0303c82a8dc1",[234,235,225],"What’re you most excited about for your sets this weekend?",[],{"_key":395,"_type":22,"children":396,"markDefs":401,"style":30},"8d3d6b77a9a3",[397],{"_key":398,"_type":26,"marks":399,"text":400},"864a89870e8e",[],"i’m really excited, I feel like I curated these sets to feel like summertime, it takes you on a journey of emotions mixed with hella feral energy. I’m really excited because I made an Oliver Tree tribute edit and I think that’s gonna be a very special moment for both sets.",[],{"_key":403,"_type":22,"children":404,"markDefs":409,"style":30},"bdffdeb491c6",[405],{"_key":406,"_type":26,"marks":407,"text":408},"0160f0737dd1",[234,235,225],"What’s next for you after the festival? What do you have in store for the rest of 2026?",[],{"_key":411,"_type":22,"children":412,"markDefs":417,"style":30},"27f72659cea2",[413],{"_key":414,"_type":26,"marks":415,"text":416},"e583a2687335",[],"After these festivals, I am going to be getting into prep mode for Lost Lands, and I also am working on EP dropping on a dream label of mine. There’s a lot in the works right now that I can’t wait for, I’m going on tour to play support for 4 artists this fall.",[],{"_key":419,"_type":22,"children":420,"markDefs":425,"style":206},"a25f618095a8",[421],{"_key":422,"_type":26,"marks":423,"text":424},"73507c728959",[],"BREAKAWAY MINNESOTA",[],{"_key":427,"_type":22,"children":428,"markDefs":433,"style":77},"96f7f26fbc73",[429],{"_key":430,"_type":26,"marks":431,"text":432},"74aef4dc7057",[],"WUKI",[],{"_key":435,"_type":156,"asset":436},"7a11653edfe7",{"_ref":437,"_type":159},"image-bbfcddba2ba7b6cc3e772bc39fa423a68cd376d7-700x468-webp",{"_key":439,"_type":22,"children":440,"markDefs":445,"style":30},"54f3a5d0d5fe",[441],{"_key":442,"_type":26,"marks":443,"text":444},"1f759894d129",[225],"[Image courtesy of Courtney Roxanne]",[],{"_key":447,"_type":22,"children":448,"markDefs":452,"style":30},"f50f6a7193ab",[449],{"_key":450,"_type":26,"marks":451,"text":236},"e205ee0918d9",[234,235,225],[],{"_key":454,"_type":22,"children":455,"markDefs":459,"style":30},"de14a87050de",[456],{"_key":450,"_type":26,"marks":457,"text":458},[],"My “Maniac” remix has been popping off!",[],{"_key":461,"_type":22,"children":462,"markDefs":467,"style":30},"1f18b1a6ec82",[463],{"_key":464,"_type":26,"marks":465,"text":466},"c522b4ca7983",[234,235,225],"What’re you most excited about for your set this weekend?",[],{"_key":469,"_type":22,"children":470,"markDefs":475,"style":30},"6d5144c1ebaa",[471],{"_key":472,"_type":26,"marks":473,"text":474},"2c35d02d99be",[],"I love seeing friends!",[],{"_key":477,"_type":22,"children":478,"markDefs":482,"style":30},"8d81d22614a7",[479],{"_key":480,"_type":26,"marks":481,"text":408},"5718840da011",[234,235,225],[],{"_key":484,"_type":22,"children":485,"markDefs":490,"style":30},"b340d4b4ed23",[486],{"_key":487,"_type":26,"marks":488,"text":489},"32d207fe58ce",[],"Dropping new music and another mixtape soon!",[],{"_ref":492,"_type":159},"cf90ef13-140e-4ab6-a44f-29357374d13b",{"_type":156,"asset":494},{"_ref":495,"_type":159},"image-7106a749304281c3270e05658e6dd727eacb83f1-7008x3748-jpg",{"_type":161,"current":497},"end-overdose-weekend-festival-guide","End Overdose Weekend Festival Guide",{"_createdAt":500,"_id":501,"_rev":502,"_type":17,"_updatedAt":503,"article":504,"author_ref":581,"category":153,"date":583,"image":584,"slug":587,"title":589},"2026-06-18T16:49:09Z","e300913c-c9b9-4939-b7c1-d653d7c63fd7","GDjKvWcUponpDtl6tuoo0Q","2026-06-18T16:55:12Z",[505,513,521,529,537,545,553,561],{"_key":506,"_type":22,"children":507,"markDefs":512,"style":30},"6fa7ba3214dd",[508],{"_key":509,"_type":26,"marks":510,"text":511},"ff248f560875",[],"Ketamine is a powerful dissociative anesthetic that induces a hypnagogic state of sedation and pain relief. First synthesized in 1962, ketamine has served as a staple in the medical and veterinary field for surgical procedures. The drug's fast-acting effects and low risk for prolonged sedation, made it ideal for emergency procedures. After years of ketamine being understood only as an anesthetic, scientists discovered that it operates on anti-depressant pathways in the brain. Psychiatry began to adapt the use of ketamine for the treatment of chronic depressive disorders, and was ultimately approved for therapeutic use in 2019. The FDA-approved medication Spravato has been shown to improve treatment-resistant depression outcomes with more success than traditional anti-depressant medications.",[],{"_key":514,"_type":22,"children":515,"markDefs":520,"style":30},"df21de69a89c",[516],{"_key":517,"_type":26,"marks":518,"text":519},"b75b9d43f66d",[],"Outside of medical use, ketamine rapidly gained popularity in electronic dance scenes in the United States in the 1980’s, earning the nickname “Special K”. In subanesthetic doses, ketamine induces feelings of euphoria, sensory enhancement, and hallucinations. Presently, ketamine has gained recreational popularity, with over 3 million Americans having used the drug since 2015. Although the rates for Ketamine Use Disorder remains under 1% of the population, drug education and safety are still vital.",[],{"_key":522,"_type":22,"children":523,"markDefs":528,"style":30},"e240d8375f3b",[524],{"_key":525,"_type":26,"marks":526,"text":527},"12e8e3c64b53",[],"In the brain, ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors, serving as an antagonist. When NMDA receptors are blocked, excitatory signaling of neurons (brain cells) is inhibited. Blocking these receptors has downstream effects to other brain systems, such as glutamate signaling. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter, which triggers neurons to fire and activate. When glutamate is inhibited, so is normal neural communication, and other neurotransmitters such as dopamine begin to increase to compensate for excitatory deficits. While the exact mechanisms of action for ketamine are not fully understood, it is theorized that NMDA, glutamate, and dopaminergic activity play a role in the drug’s psychoactive effects.",[],{"_key":530,"_type":22,"children":531,"markDefs":536,"style":30},"002ec3b416aa",[532],{"_key":533,"_type":26,"marks":534,"text":535},"ea4c5c804166",[],"The signs, symptoms, and response required to tend to a ketamine overdose differs greatly from those of an opioid overdose. Naloxone, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, will not work during ketamine toxicity. It is important to understand that naloxone only works when opioids are driving the respiratory depression associated with an overdose. Ketamine is not an opioid, and does not bind to the brain’s opioid receptors. Although respiratory depression can also be observed during an episode of ketamine toxicity, naloxone will not work to restore breathing. There are currently no FDA approved medications to restore breathing during a ketamine overdose. If someone is experiencing a ketamine overdose, you might see a loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and seizure.",[],{"_key":538,"_type":22,"children":539,"markDefs":544,"style":30},"0353e8d4d0b9",[540],{"_key":541,"_type":26,"marks":542,"text":543},"da5091a25479",[],"Though deaths associated with a ketamine overdose are rare, compared to opioid overdoses, it is still vital to know how to respond. If you find an individual who is unconscious and is experiencing respiratory depression, you should call 911 regardless of the suspected drug that has been taken. Next, you can begin to differentiate between an opioid overdose and ketamine overdose by observing their pupils. If pupils are constricted, or pinpoint, it is likely that the overdose includes opioids, and naloxone should be administered. Pinpoint pupils are a novel sign of an opioid overdose that is not found in cases of other drug overdoses. This is due to opioids ability to suppress the Edinger-Wesphal nucleus, which controls the muscular constriction of the visual system. Ketamine will not have this effect.",[],{"_key":546,"_type":22,"children":547,"markDefs":552,"style":30},"ce052dab2d4e",[548],{"_key":549,"_type":26,"marks":550,"text":551},"cf2459facd8a",[],"To respond to a ketamine overdose, first call 911. The Good Samaritan Act will protect you, and the individual overdosing from facing legal repercussions. Good Samaritan Laws differ by state, and do not protect against prosecution of other crimes being committed simultaneously, such as trespassing. If the individual does not have a pulse and is not breathing, and you are CPR certified, begin CPR. If the person has a pulse but is not breathing effectively (less than 8 breaths per minute) begin rescue breathing, if the person has both a pulse and is breathing in normal ranges (12-20 breaths per minute) provide supportive care, turn the individual onto their side in order to reduce the risk of asphyxiation if the individual begins to vomit. Stay with the individual while emergency personnel are en route to the scene, and when they do arrive, do not obstruct their ability to provide care. When help does arrive, you can tell paramedics what you have witnessed and what you did to support the individual.",[],{"_key":554,"_type":22,"children":555,"markDefs":560,"style":30},"949d9c5a1997",[556],{"_key":557,"_type":26,"marks":558,"text":559},"d51159cc7bf3",[],"Many recreational drugs are adulterated with substances that someone may have unintentionally ingested, such as synthetic opioids. Even if someone believes that they have only taken ketamine, it is not unlikely that the drug could have been “cut” with opioids. In a situation where multiple substances are involved, and you observe signs of an overdose, you should always administer naloxone. While naloxone will not reverse the effects of ketamine, it will restore breathing if opioids are the cause of the respiratory depression. To reduce the risk of consuming an adulterated substance, it is recommended to use drug testing strips, such as ones that detect the presence of fentanyl or xylazine.",[],{"_key":562,"_type":22,"children":563,"markDefs":577,"style":30},"f44a690aa65a",[564,568,573],{"_key":565,"_type":26,"marks":566,"text":567},"db2cafe6a00a",[],"Ketamine is not an inherently dangerous drug in itself, but rather, to co-administration, set, and setting or the drug has the potential to lead to subpar outcomes. In a clinical setting, ketamine is very safe and effective when administered under the supervision of a professional. The risks of using ketamine outside of a clinical setting, can be mitigated, but never fully avoided. It is important to understand drug expectancies and risk before engaging in substance use of any kind. For more information on how to respond to an overdose, and obtain overdose prevention materials, visit ",{"_key":569,"_type":26,"marks":570,"text":572},"a8103dba464c",[571],"8f8b513e4d7d","endoverdose.net",{"_key":574,"_type":26,"marks":575,"text":576},"59f1dfd57f45",[],".",[578],{"_key":571,"_type":579,"href":580},"link","http:\u002F\u002Fendoverdose.net",{"_ref":582,"_type":159},"707914e2-9f10-4082-860f-e58d0c78dc51","2026-06-18",{"_type":156,"asset":585},{"_ref":586,"_type":159},"image-1cd803531e2ae1496098e1064ee98dd8f36fba77-1024x587-jpg",{"_type":161,"current":588},"ketamine-a-miracle-medicine-or-misunderstood-drug"," Ketamine: A Miracle Medicine or Misunderstood Drug?",{"_createdAt":591,"_id":592,"_rev":593,"_type":17,"_updatedAt":594,"article":595,"author_ref":676,"category":153,"date":677,"image":678,"slug":681,"title":683},"2026-04-16T17:15:50Z","80759083-df8c-4dbf-bcde-7f4f06dd72c0","DiUsnK6TUj65f8IV0nBrU6","2026-04-16T17:23:12Z",[596,604,612,620,628,636,644,652,660,668],{"_key":597,"_type":22,"children":598,"markDefs":603,"style":30},"b229f0b5fbcf",[599],{"_key":600,"_type":26,"marks":601,"text":602},"5ddd779c302b",[],"End Overdose's work in Arkansas is made possible by interns and volunteers across the state. Some of them are training attendees at festivals on how to respond to an overdose, while others are packing naloxone kits in our office well into the evening hours. We want to shine a light on the people whose efforts make our resources free and accessible to all, so we’re excited to share our Arkansas Volunteer of the Week: Rylynn Merz!",[],{"_key":605,"_type":22,"children":606,"markDefs":611,"style":30},"6d1ac0d28f62",[607],{"_key":608,"_type":26,"marks":609,"text":610},"a176751d9c06",[],"Rylynn is a senior at the University of Arkansas majoring in Public Health and working toward securing her Bachelors of Science in Nursing once she graduates from UA. We spoke with Rylynn to discuss her academic efforts, what inspired her to pursue an internship with End Overdose, her favorite memories of interning to date, and much more!",[],{"_key":613,"_type":22,"children":614,"markDefs":619,"style":77},"4c76801aed03",[615],{"_key":616,"_type":26,"marks":617,"text":618},"ea47dd3edb16",[],"Can you tell us about yourself and your story?",[],{"_key":621,"_type":22,"children":622,"markDefs":627,"style":30},"fddb5657337d",[623],{"_key":624,"_type":26,"marks":625,"text":626},"34effd172de8",[],"My name is Rylynn Merz, I am currently a senior at the University of Arkansas majoring in Public Health. My plan is to continue my education after graduation and get my Bachelors of Science in Nursing in Texas, where I'm from. Getting my degree in public health has given me a strong foundation and broader understanding of health and healthcare that I'm grateful to take with me in my future path. I'm inspired to continue in the healthcare path and to make an impact on people's lives throughout my career and life.",[],{"_key":629,"_type":22,"children":630,"markDefs":635,"style":77},"e069507fc2b6",[631],{"_key":632,"_type":26,"marks":633,"text":634},"e64769e27871",[],"What inspired you to intern with End Overdose?",[],{"_key":637,"_type":22,"children":638,"markDefs":643,"style":30},"08d6c28f70ef",[639],{"_key":640,"_type":26,"marks":641,"text":642},"f75ff9c2d6aa",[],"I chose to intern with End Overdose because I wanted to be involved in prevention and outreach, and this seemed like the best setting. I loved that this organization is a non- profit and focused on saving lives and making overdose prevention resources more accessible. I think that working to help people and prevent overdoses one person at a time is really impactful, and I'm glad that I was given the opportunity to be a part of it.",[],{"_key":645,"_type":22,"children":646,"markDefs":651,"style":77},"d5185cbf815f",[647],{"_key":648,"_type":26,"marks":649,"text":650},"9ad3bceb4bc0",[],"What’re your favorite memories of interning with End Overdose so far?",[],{"_key":653,"_type":22,"children":654,"markDefs":659,"style":30},"b5ac791ac653",[655],{"_key":656,"_type":26,"marks":657,"text":658},"c019c99e8f36",[],"My favorite part of interning with End Overdose has definitely been the people. Working with Sierra Jeans and my peer Aubrey Smith has made this experience so fun. They have created a supportive and engaging space where we were able to focus on prevention and outreach across the state of Arkansas. We have worked hard to do a lot of outreach work for Arkansas colleges, and I feel like we have and will impact many students about overdose prevention. ",[],{"_key":661,"_type":22,"children":662,"markDefs":667,"style":77},"3826d805507d",[663],{"_key":664,"_type":26,"marks":665,"text":666},"1e07b0c442e3",[],"What do you hope to see for the future of overdose prevention and response in Arkansas?",[],{"_key":669,"_type":22,"children":670,"markDefs":675,"style":30},"41293c808fa3",[671],{"_key":672,"_type":26,"marks":673,"text":674},"bef5ff8ba084",[],"I hope that in the future, overdose prevention will become more accessible and normalized across Arkansas and even throughout the US. Increasing access to resources like naloxone, reducing the stigma around substance use, and expanding education would create a much better environment for drug users, and getting the help they need. I also think it's important for colleges to build strong connections with organizations and communities so that resources are more widely known. I think End Overdose is doing great things and I can't wait to see the future of what this organization will accomplish!",[],{"_ref":492,"_type":159},"2026-04-16",{"_type":156,"asset":679},{"_ref":680,"_type":159},"image-3a5e12014ed6c01e7a70f6fc6b1766b3330ccff9-3024x1423-jpg",{"_type":161,"current":682},"intern-spotlight-rylynn-merz","Intern Spotlight: Rylynn Merz",1782413126196]