Syracuse, N.Y. — The Onondaga County Health Department will be mailing a box of free Narcan to anyone in their community who requests it.
In fact, the county health department has mailed 465 boxes of overdose suppressants to residents in recent years. The doses will come from the state stockpile of Narcan, the brand name of the naloxone manufacturer.
To get one, call or text the county’s Harm Reduction Supply Line at 315-418-5365. We also provide drug test strips and other consumables for added safety.
The health department says Narcan distribution has increased significantly over the past two years thanks to increased outreach and decreased stigma around harm reduction efforts.
Increased use of Narcan is not thought to be a sign of further overdose. Health Commissioner Dr. Kathryn Anderson said the number of overdoses this year is expected to be similar to last year.
There were 155 fatal overdoses in Onondaga County in 2023, which is still far higher than the historical average but lower than the 186 reported in 2021. According to county data.
The prefecture also makes a schedule. free narcan trainingIn addition to executing syringe exchange van Stops in the city and nearby suburbs.
Related: How to Get Help to Combat Opioid and Fentanyl Addiction and Overdose in Central New York
Related: Gaining trust: Why Onondaga County started distributing needles a year and a half ago
It’s part of the county’s strategy in the fight against opioids: to keep people alive at all costs. Health care workers regularly attend community meetings and hand out free Narcan.
It’s not just the county. The state Department of Health and Addiction Services were each handing out free Narcan at the state fair. Narcan retails for $44.99 at local drug stores such as Kinney’s. Most insurances, including Medicaid, also cover this drug.
Related: Daily Hope: With the deadliest fentanyl ever, Syracuse fights off one life at a time
Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at: [email protected] or (315) 470-6070.
