Naloxone (NARCAN®) is a medicine that can save someone’s life if they are experiencing an opioid overdose. Naloxone (NARCAN®) works for all opioids, including those prescribed by a doctor, and street drugs. No matter the source, Naloxone (NARCAN®) will work. These agencies are teaching people how to recognize the signs of an overdose, and how to use the Naloxone (NARCAN®) nasal spray in case of an overdose. Along with this training, the agencies are giving people rescue kits, which include several doses of the Naloxone (NARCAN®) nasal spray, and educational information.

A core principle of harm reduction is to “meet people where they are at”. This means reaching out to people who use drugs, and providing non-judgmental services and resources that they need. This is done to lessen the harm that can be done while they are using drugs. With this connection, these agencies are also in a position to help people transition into treatment, if/when they are ready. These agencies travel into the community and meet with people, understand their needs, and provide harm reduction services. This includes people who may be homeless or unhoused.