GET NALOXONE (NARCAN)
Naloxone is administered when someone is showing signs of opioid overdose. The medication can be given by intranasal spray and by intramuscular injection. Like Epi-Pens or a first-aid kit component, having Naloxone readily available can be very helpful in a crisis. Naloxone is not a toxic drug and cannot be used to get high. Rescuing with Naloxone will not cause overdose, so when in doubt, use it.
Naloxone can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of abusing heroin or prescription opioids, or accidentally ingesting too much pain medication. Effects last 30-90 minutes; usually sufficient for short acting opioids, but medical attention should always be sought.
If we can act early when a person shows signs of an overdose, we can work quickly to help save a life.
TO ACCESS FREE NARCAN
Contact Us
For free Narcan, contact our office at 707-456-3803 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Contact MCAVHN Care & Prevention Network
148 Clara Ave
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 462-1932
Qualified organizations and entities can request free Narcan through the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Qualified organizations and entities include, but are not limited to:
- First Responders
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Fire Authorities
- Law Enforcement, Courts, and Criminal Justice Partners
- Veteran Organizations
- Homeless Programs
- Schools & Universities
- Libraries
- Religious Entities
- Community Organizations
To find out more and apply for free Narcan through the Naloxone Distribution Project visit www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/Naloxone_Distribution_Project.aspx.
If your patients are in need of Narcan and have Partnership/Medi-Cal:
Doctors, please prescribe it for them. Partnership/Medi-Cal will pay for it and they can get it from their local pharmacy. Narcan should be prescribed to all patients who are on long-term opioids. It is difficult to predict which patients who take opioids are at risk for an overdose. Many patients do not feel they are at risk for overdose. Prescribing to all patients on opioids will help them understand Narcan is being prescribed for risky drugs, not risky patients.
Here is a list of Guidelines for Co-Prescribing:
Assembly Bill 2760 REQUIRES doctors to prescribe Naloxone to patients:
- Prescribed 90 or more morphine equivalent milligrams.
- Prescribed an opioid co-currently with a benzodiazepine.
- Who are at an increased risk for overdose.
Toolkits & how-to resources
- Guide to Developing and Managing Overdose Prevention and Take-Home Naloxone Programs
Harm Reduction Coalition toolkit on integrating overdose into existing social service programs. - Law Enforcement Naloxone Toolkit
Bureau of Justice Assistance toolkit on law enforcement naloxone programs. Includes data collection forms, standard operating procedures, training guides, community outreach materials, and memoranda of agreement. Download the Fentanyl Safety Recommendations for First Responders, watch the first responders' companion training video for more information:
Adapted from Ventura County Behavioral Health / www.venturacountyresponds.org