BOSTON — The devastating effects of Massachusetts’ growing opioid epidemic doesn’t get any more real than a Facebook live video showing an overdose in real time.

On June 22, Facebook user Junior JayRoc DiSola livestreamed a video showing him and another man coming across a couple passed out inside a car in Dorchester. Through the window, a syringe is clearly visible on the woman’s lap. Realizing the two were druggies, the men banged on the window, intending to wake the couple and get them to leave.

The woman eventually came to, looking startled and disoriented. But her friend, a man named Dan, couldn’t be shaken awake. Realizing he had probably overdosed, the woman ran to get Narcan from the trunk.

She administered the Narcan, and gave him CPR when he remained unresponsive.
After a police sergeant walked over to ask about the situation, Dan finally wakes up, vomiting, several minutes later, to everyone’s relief.

The woman told bystanders Dan did not normally ‘do this stuff’, prompting her to administer two shots of double strength Narcan. She confirmed its effectiveness, claiming she’d been through similar experiences multiple times.

Emergency medical services later arrived at the scene to treat Dan. Boston police also gave assistance, but did not make any arrests. The incident did not generate a police report, nor is there a criminal investigation on the matter.

The overdose video has been viewed by millions, and while disturbing, the scene is apparently an everyday occurrence for EMTs. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, around 2,000 state residents suffered opioid-related deaths last year.