LOUISVILLE,KY (NBC NEWS) - As thousands of families across the country deal with heroin addiction, some children are being taught how to save a person from an overdose by administering the antidote naloxone, also called Narcan.
At 9 years old, Audrey Stepp is naturally protective. While most kids are scared of needles, She practices using them in case she has to save her brother, Sammy, from a heroin overdose.
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Audrey's mother, Jennifer Stepp, says "Audrey just gravitates toward him."
In the U.S., someone dies roughly every 20 minutes from an accidental overdose.
Jennifer says her 26-year-old son's battle with heroin began before Audrey was born. She's tried everything; had him arrested, cut him off and has put him through rehab again and again.
One day, Audrey heard her mother talking about naloxone training and how it could save Sammy if he overdosed; she insisted on learning.
Now Audrey and Jennifer give classes on administering naloxone. The drug was once used only by hospitals and paramedics, but is now available without a prescription at many pharmacies across the country.
Some have described the use of naloxone and Narcan as a safety net for addicts. Doctors say it does not produce a high.
For the Stepps, Sammy has been clean for a few months now, but his mother says they can't let their guard down.
Learn more about the organization Jennifer Stepp founded to help others.