How to help prevent overdose deaths around Tampa Bay

Lauren Peace, Tampa Bay Times
·2 min read

Health departments in Tampa Bay are giving out free overdose reversal medication at locations around Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.

Naloxone — often known by its popular brand name, Narcan — helps restore breathing in people who have overdosed on opioids. The medication, which is typically administered as a nasal spray or injection, has no effect on people who do not have opioids in their system.

After administering the medication, it is still important to call 911. The treatment is temporary and it is critical to get a person who has overdosed access to medical help as soon as possible.

If breathing in the person who has overdosed is not restored after administering one dose of naloxone, additional doses may be given.

The free naloxone kits are made available by the health departments as part of a statewide initiative to help reduce overdose deaths in Florida.

No appointment is necessary to get the medication, but individuals must be at least 18 years old. Recipients should also be at risk of experiencing an overdose, caregivers of somebody likely to overdose, or people likely to witness an overdose to get the medication.

More information about how to administer naloxone and referrals or connections to treatment programs are also available.

If you or someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder, you can find more information about resources available in Florida at https://isavefl.com/.

Where to get naloxone around Tampa Bay:

Hillsborough County

  • Specialty Care Center: 1105 E Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday).

  • University Area Health Center: 13601 N 22nd St., Tampa (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday).

  • Sulphur Springs Health Center: 8605 N Mitchell Ave., Tampa (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday).

  • Tuberculosis Center: 8515 N Mitchell Ave., Tampa (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday).

For more information on naloxone in Hillsborough County, call 813-307-8000.

Pinellas County

  • St. Petersburg: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday).

  • Pinellas Park: 6350 76th Ave. N, Pinellas Park (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday).

  • Mid County: 8751 Ulmerton Road, Largo (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday).

  • Clearwater: 310 N Myrtle Ave., Clearwater (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday)

  • Tarpon Springs: 301 S Disston Ave., Tarpon Springs (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday).

For more information on naloxone in Pinellas County, call 727-824-6900.

Pasco County

  • New Port Richey Clinic: 10841 Little Road, New Port Richey (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday).

  • Dade City Clinic: 13941 15th St., Dade City (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday).

  • Wesley Chapel Clinic: 33845 S.R. 54, Wesley Chapel (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday).

For more information on naloxone in Pasco County, call 727-619-0300.