Lucas County gets additional state funding for naloxone

In this Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, Narcan nasal spray is demonstrated during a news conference in Cincinnati.

The Ohio Department of Health has awarded the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department $14,250 for additional naloxone kits used to reverse an opioid overdose. 

Funding comes through the state’s Project DAWN, which last year distributed more than 19,000 naloxone kits, used to reverse at least 1,400 opioid overdoses.

“The use of naloxone as quickly as possible is critical to saving lives during all opioid overdoses — but especially during overdoses involving fentanyl, carfentanil and related drugs since they can kill quickly,” state health department Director Lance Himes said in a statement. “Having a family member or friend administer naloxone while waiting on first responders to arrive could mean the difference between life and death.”

Lucas County’s award is part of $2 million designated for increased naloxone access contained in the 2018-19 state budget.