FAQ
Q. What is Tempo?
A. Tempo is a program as part of the mission of music related non-profits whereby we have joined forces to bring awareness to the opioid addiction crisis facing the musician community. Our goal is to train musicians to recognize the signs of opioid addition and opioid overdose and empower them to know where to go for help and how to save the life of a musician who is in the midst of an overdose.
Q. Why is there training and data collection required?
A. Naloxone is a controlled substance, however it cannot harm someone if it is administered and they didn’t truly need it. That said, training is required in order to recognize the tell-tell signs of an overdose and to know how to properly administer the naloxone antidote. We collect data in order to analyze the demographics of our reach so we can course correct where we are falling short.
Q. Is Tempo (as a mission) a non-profit?
A. The short answer is: not yet. TEMPO is a program that is supported by 5 managing member non-profits (governing members) and multiple highly strategic supporting non-profit members. The overall idea is that collectively we can amplify our efforts to magnify the overall effectiveness and allow us to save more musicians.
Q. If I come across someone who has overdosed, do I call 911 first and then administer Naloxone or do I administer naloxone and then call 911?
A. There is no right answer to this questions. Most doctors believe, however, that doing the steps to identify they are in distress and administer naloxone and then call 911 may buy some time for the victim.
Q. If Naloxone is not harmful if given to someone who truly didn’t need it, then why am I being required to sign a release waiver?
A. Basically, stuff happens. All of the non-profits are self supporting and cannot afford (from a monetary and/or time perspective) any legal hiccups from someone looking to capitalize on a simple and well-intentioned program. The waiver is designed to protect you and the TEMPO non-profit participants.
Q. If I administer NALOXONE and the person doesn’t survive, am I potentially liable?
A. Basically, no. Recent legislation passed good Samaritan laws that protect someone who is trying to save a life.
Q. If I take the training will I be considered Tempo-trained and leave with Naloxone?
A. Yes. If you take the training and pass the short test, you will leave with naloxone and be equipped to save a life.
Q. What if I tell others about tempo? Can they participate in the training?
A. Yes. The more musicians we have trained, the more musicians we save!
Q. HOW DOES SOMEONE GET NALOXONE?
Naloxone is a prescription medication, and there are many ways to obtain naloxone:
A. Any prescriber can write a prescription for naloxone. Some Medicaid and commercial health insurance plans cover at least one form of naloxone, although coverage and co-pays vary widely.
Many pharmacists have the ability to directly prescribe naloxone on behalf of a health care provider under an arrangement called a collaborative drug therapy agreement. Like getting a flu shot, a customer can obtain naloxone directly at the pharmacy without seeing a health care provider.
Most states also have community organizations like syringe exchange programs that distribute naloxone under a health care provider’s standing order. A list of these programs can be found at www.prescribetoprevent.org. Using this same model, many organizations like housing providers, substance use treatment centers, jails, and drug courts also distribute naloxone to clients at risk for overdose.
Q. Is NALOXONE Addictive?
A. Naloxone has no psychoactive or addictive qualities and few side effects. It is harmless if given in error.
Q. Won’t surviving an overdose with naloxone encourage someone to keep using?
A. No. Research shows that not only does naloxone NOT encourage drug use, but it has been shown to decrease it in some circumstances. Naloxone can produce unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that no one wants to experience.
Q. Will naloxone keep drum users from seeking treatment?
A. The idea is to save lives and provide a second chance to get treatment., which happens often after surviving an overdose.