(LibertySociety.com) – To combat the record-breaking number of opioid overdoses in the United States during 2021, the University Medical Center New Orleans hospital decided to dispense the reversal drug, Narcan, for free to the public. Medical professionals use the medicine to reverse overdoses by administering it to block the narcotic’s effects. Typically, Narcan costs more than $100 without a prescription, but health officials in Crescent City are looking for other ways to get the helpful drug to those who need it.
In New Orleans, those arriving at the medical center will receive an overdose rescue pack, and residents with addicts in the family can pick up their kits at the nearest fire station.
Although licensed addiction counselor Dr. Joyce Bracey stated the main focus of healthcare professionals is to prevent drug use altogether, she said the city wants to first “keep people alive” with the new program.
Sadly, the CDC reported over 75,000 opioid overdose deaths in the US from April 2020 to April 2021. That number is an increase of almost 20,000 from the year prior. According to the data, overall overdoses during the same period topped more than 100,000.
In 2022, the US needs urgent, coordinated action to address increasing overdose death rates. My latest in @thehill https://t.co/0p8sHGgM9O
— Regina LaBelle (@ReginaLabelle) January 3, 2022
Fortunately, New Orleans isn’t the only area trying to stop unnecessary deaths using innovative means. Philadelphia enacted a syringe services program, and the Big Apple opened an overdose prevention site to help save lives.
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