If you’ve seen Narcan being handed out for free at local events or health centers, you might wonder why. Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. While the idea of giving out medicine for free might raise questions, there’s a simple reason behind it: Narcan not only saves lives—it saves money. Here’s how.
What Is Narcan?
Narcan is a nasal spray that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, like from heroin or prescription painkillers. It works by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain, bringing someone who’s overdosing back to consciousness and normal breathing. It’s easy to use and can be administered by anyone, not just medical professionals.
Why Is It Free?
Many agencies, from public health departments to non-profits, provide Narcan for free because it makes a huge difference in preventing overdose deaths. Offering it without cost encourages more people to carry it, especially in areas hit hard by the opioid crisis. The goal is to get Narcan into the hands of those who are most likely to witness an overdose, like family members, friends, or even bystanders.
How It Saves Money
- Avoiding Hospital Costs: When someone overdoses and survives, they often end up in the hospital. Emergency room visits, ambulance rides, and follow-up treatments are incredibly expensive. By using Narcan quickly, these hospital visits can be avoided, saving thousands of dollars per person.
- Preventing Overdose Death Investigations: Every overdose death requires a criminal investigation to rule out foul play. Already over-taxed police departments spend time and resources investigating these cases, and that’s money that could be spent elsewhere in the community.
- Reducing Autopsy and Burial Costs: When someone dies from an overdose, an autopsy is often required to confirm the cause of death. This process is costly, involving transporting the deceased all the way to Montgomery County for an autopsy. In some cases, if the deceased person has no family or resources, the government ends up paying to bury them. By preventing overdose deaths with Narcan, these costs are avoided.
- Easing the Burden on Emergency Services: When fewer overdose deaths occur, fewer police and paramedics are tied up with these cases. Scioto County is already in the grip of a shortage of EMS workers. Fewer overdose deaths mean EMS have more time to focus on other emergencies, making the entire system run more efficiently.
Why It Matters to Communities
Opioid addiction has devastated many communities, but Narcan gives people a second chance. When an overdose is reversed, it’s an opportunity for that person to seek treatment and recover. Communities that invest in handing out Narcan are not only saving lives—they’re also investing in the long-term health and safety of their neighborhoods. Plus, preventing overdose deaths reduces the emotional and financial strain on families, healthcare systems, and local governments.
While giving out Narcan for free might seem like a big expense up front, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. By avoiding hospital transports, expensive investigations, and funeral costs, communities save a lot of money. More importantly, they save lives. Narcan is a simple, affordable way to keep people alive and help them find their way to recovery.