INDEPENDENCE, Missouri – Residents of Independence, Missouri, can receive free boxes of Narcan at distribution events taking place this week.
The drug reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
The city’s health department received 1,000 doses of the drug from the Missouri Institute for Mental Health in 2023 and 2024.
Health department leaders said they have seen a 26% increase in opioid overdoses among teens since 2020.
The number of fatal overdoses nearly doubled in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019 across all age groups.
“We are very concerned about citizens dying from opioid overdoses,” said Terrell Sage, a public health specialist with the Independence Health Department. “We want to make sure we prevent as many of these deaths as possible by giving people Narcan.”
Al Miller
Sage said almost anyone can safely administer Narcan to someone who is suffering an overdose. There is no harm in giving the drug to someone who is not suffering an overdose, either.
The Independence Fire Department has equipped every fire truck with a generic form of Narcan for the past two years.
RELATED | Kansas City responders participate in joint overdose response training
Battalion Commander Eric Michel recalls administering the drug to a patient suffering from an overdose last summer. He described how the patient virtually came back to life.
“Without her, people would die,” Michel said. “She saved many lives. I saw it myself.”
Al Miller
Michel reflects on the profound impact that comes with saving someone from a fatal overdose.
“Think of the impact this has on all the family members and all the people who love that person,” Michel said. “It really changes the trajectory of many people’s lives.”
Narcan is available during business hours at the Independence Health Department, 111 E. Maple Avenue.
The city health department is conducting several distribution campaigns this week.
Thursday, August 22
- 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the East Independence Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library, 4505 Little Blue Parkway.
- Noon to 2 p.m. at the Fairmount Community Center, 217 S. Cedar Avenue.
Friday, August 23
- 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the North Independence Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library, 317 WUS 24 Highway.
The Kansas City Health Department and the city’s public library are also distributing Narcan free of charge.
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