PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The city of Phoenix distributed more than 10,500 naloxone or Narcan kits in one year.
“Having Narcan or naloxone on hand at all times actually saves lives,” said Yanitza Soto, Phoenix’s acting health adviser.
These nasal sprays are a life-saving tool that can reverse opioid and fentanyl overdose.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, there have been more than 2,200 non-fatal overdoses in the state so far this year.
Soto says they want to prevent those numbers from turning into deaths. “We want to make sure this life-saving drug is accessible to everyone,” Soto said.
Naloxone or Narcan can cost around $40 to $50 at pharmacies, depending on the pharmacy, but this city program offers it to people for free.
These kits can be found in most city buildings.
“In our community, it is most readily available at all of our 17 public libraries in the city of Phoenix,” Soto said.
No tax dollars are used to fund this program; the city covers the costs through a settlement the federal government reached with major opioid pharmaceutical companies and distributors.
Arizona will receive approximately $1.12 billion annually from this agreement, of which Maricopa County will receive $2.5 million.
Soto said this money will help fund this program for years to come. “We look forward to expanding the naloxone program next year.”
We are currently evaluating the past year and looking at areas where we can continue to improve and how this will contribute to our overall plan as a city.”
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