Carrying Naloxone Saves Lives: A Spotlight on Substance Use Prevention
October is Substance Use Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of reducing the risks of substance use and supporting individuals on the path to recovery. One of the most effective prevention tools available today is Naloxone (Narcan)—a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses.
What Is Naloxone (Narcan)?
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a safe, easy-to-use medication that can rapidly restore normal breathing when someone is experiencing an opioid overdose. It works by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain, quickly reversing dangerous symptoms such as slowed or stopped breathing.
The medication is FDA-approved, available as a nasal spray, and can be administered by anyone—no medical training required. This makes Naloxone an essential tool in community-based substance use prevention.
How to Use Naloxone
Administering Naloxone is simple, which is why it has become such a vital public health tool.
- Recognize the signs of overdose. These may include slow or no breathing, blue lips or fingertips, unresponsiveness, or unusual snoring sounds.
- Call 911 immediately. Always involve emergency services, even if Naloxone is given.
- Administer Naloxone. Peel open the package, place the nozzle in one nostril, and press the plunger to release the dose.
- Monitor and repeat if necessary. If there is no response within 2–3 minutes, administer a second dose using a new spray device.
- Provide support until help arrives. Lay the person on their side in the recovery position and stay with them until medical professionals take over.
Because it is safe and effective, there is no risk of harming someone if Naloxone is used in an emergency—even if opioids were not involved.
Why Carry Naloxone?
Carrying Naloxone is a simple but powerful way to prevent overdose deaths.
- Overdoses can happen anywhere – from parties and concerts to family gatherings. If you know someone who struggles with substance use, carrying Naloxone is especially important, as there may be a risk of overdose. Recognizing the signs and being prepared can save a life.
- Everyone can help. Teens, young adults, and adults alike should consider carrying Naloxone. You don’t have to be a healthcare professional to save a life.
- Prevention is empowerment. Carrying Naloxone reduces stigma and empowers individuals and communities to play an active role in substance use prevention.
When you carry Naloxone, you’re carrying hope and a chance for someone to survive an overdose and pursue recovery.
DISC Village’s Leadership in Substance Use Prevention
For more than 50 years, DISC Village has been at the forefront of prevention, treatment, and recovery services in the Big Bend region. Since our founding in 1971, we have served Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Liberty, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, and Taylor Counties with programs supported by state and local partnerships.
DISC Village has played a leading role in responding to both the opioid epidemic and the fentanyl crisis, helping to expand harm reduction strategies and educate the public about the dangers of these powerful substances. Beginning in 2021, we dramatically increased access to Naloxone, making it available free of charge through a network of nearly 100 distribution stands across the region.
These efforts reflect our deep commitment to substance use prevention and the recognition that access to tools like Naloxone can mean the difference between life and death.
Where to Get Free Naloxone
Naloxone is available at no cost through DISC Village’s extensive network of distribution stands located across the Big Bend region. These stands are stocked regularly and ensure that lifesaving medication is accessible to anyone who needs it. To find a stand near you, visit discvillage.org/naloxone.
Additional Prevention and Recovery Services
DISC Village’s work goes beyond Naloxone. The organization offers a wide range of programs designed to prevent substance misuse and support long-term recovery, including:
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Using Buprenorphine and Naltrexone to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders.
- Peer Support Services: Individuals with lived experience who guide and encourage others in recovery.
- School-based Prevention Programs: Educating young people about the risks of substance use and promoting resiliency.
- Outpatient and Residential Treatment Services: Comprehensive care options for individuals and families.
- Community partnerships: Collaborations with law enforcement, public health, task forces, and local governments to strengthen prevention and recovery initiatives.
These combined approaches position DISC Village as a trusted expert in substance use disorder prevention and treatment throughout Florida’s Big Bend region.
A Community Effort
Substance use prevention requires all of us. By carrying Naloxone, supporting prevention programs, and connecting with resources like DISC Village, you can play an active role in ending overdoses and helping others pursue recovery.
Together, we can save lives, reduce the harms of substance use, and build stronger, healthier communities.
To learn more about our services and how we’re building healthier communities throughout Florida, contact us today.