Naloxone use doubled in first 6 months of 2022, now overdose kits are free in Santa Rosa
The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County has announced that naloxone nasal spray kits are available for free.
Naloxone, which is also often called Narcan, is a lifesaving medication used to help reverse the effects of a drug-induced overdose and can be used by non-health care professionals.
"Substance abuse continues to be a top health concern for Santa Rosa County. Based on local data, naloxone use doubled in the first six months of 2022," said Matt Dobson, administrator of DOH-Santa Rosa, in a press release. "Since 2018, deaths from drug poisoning in Santa Rosa County has more than doubled. It's a growing problem."
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The nasal spray kits, which will include two naloxone sprays, can restore breathing and consciousness to a person suffering from an opioid overdose within minutes, but is not intended as a substitute for medical intervention.
The naloxone distribution is part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Program, an effort between the Department of Health, Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Health Care Administration to curb the number of deaths caused by the polluted drug supply.
Naloxone is already available in Florida CVS and Walgreens pharmacies without a prescription and is covered by Florida Medicaid. Other insurances, however, might require a co-pay.
The Florida Department of Health announced Aug. 31, International Overdose Awareness Day, that it would expand the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Overdose Prevention Program to all 67 counties.
The expansion of naloxone distribution is part of the state's response to the overdose crisis, which in 2021 killed almost 8,000 Floridians, the highest one-year total recorded in the state.
"This effort complements the Florida Department of Health's HEROS (Helping Emergency Responders Obtain Support) program that provides free naloxone to emergency response agencies," Santa Rosa's press release noted.
Anyone requesting a kit from DOH-Santa Rosa must meet the following criteria:
Must be 18 years old or older
Individuals at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose
Caregivers who may witness an opioid overdose or others likely to experience or witness an opioid overdose
The naloxone kits can be obtained at the DOH-Santa Rosa Milton office at 5527 Stewart St. in Milton or at the Midway office at 5840 Gulf Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze.
Benjamin Johnson can be reached at bjohnson@pnj.com or 850-435-8578
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Naloxone kits are free in Santa Rosa County to combat overdose deaths
