“As Alaskans, we have a little kit of emergency stuff that we take out camping and fishing,” said Shari Conner with Change 4 the Kenai, as residents will soon have greater access to Narcan. “It’s just a safety measure, just like anything else.”
The overdose-reversing drug Narcan soon will be available over-the-counter. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said this week it approved the product for use without a prescription, with the goal of reducing opioid deaths and making it easier for people to access the life-saving emergency medication.
It will be a while before Narcan is available on pharmacy and grocery store shelves. The FDA estimates it could take months to jump through some But Shari Conner with Change 4 the Kenai said she thinks having it available over-the-counter will help reduce stigma and help Alaskans stay prepared. Conner is the project coordinator with the local coalition, which works to prevent substance abuse on the Kenai Peninsula.
“As Alaskans, we have a little kit of emergency stuff that we take out camping and fishing,” Conner said. “It’s just a safety measure, just like anything else.” Narcan contains 4 milligrams of naloxone — a medication that quickly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
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