WYOMING — The Wyoming Department of Health is once again taking free orders of a temporary opioid overdose antidote known as NARCAN® for certain Wyoming groups.
NARCAN® is a potentially lifesaving prescription medication designed to quickly help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, explained Erica Mathews, Grants and Programs Unit manager with the WDH Behavioral Health Division.
“This program provides free NARCAN® to agencies, businesses and organizations in Wyoming that may be in a position to help people who are experiencing an opioid overdose,” Mathews said. “It’s meant for groups such as law enforcement agencies, emergency medical service providers and schools rather than for individual orders.”
The effort is being funded through the State Opioid Response Grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
WDH data show annual deaths attributed to overdoses in Wyoming have increased between some years and decreased at other times. It’s believed the recent increase in overdose deaths can largely be attributed to an increase in synthetic opioid-involved overdose deaths.
The active ingredient in NARCAN®, naloxone hydrochloride, can block the effects of opioids and restore normal breathing in a person whose breathing has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose.
Mathews said more than one dose of naloxone may be required when stronger opioids and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are involved.
Groups interested in receiving the medication through the Wyoming program should click here. Important rules, specific program requirements and ordering information are available.
Those interested in a personal supply of naloxone for themselves or for a close friend or family member should ask local pharmacies or medical providers about the medication. Insurance will sometimes cover prescriptions for naloxone and some pharmacies are able to provide naloxone for individuals without a doctor’s prescription.
The WDH Substance Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP) previously provided NARCAN to groups using federal funding from 2016 until last fall when that particular grant participation ended for Wyoming.
Online NARCAN® administration training can be found here. The training is free for people who enter a Wyoming address on the site.
