Natick Joins In Community Narcan Program

NATICK, MA—Ashland, Framingham, Hudson and Natick joined forces and are among the first communities to increase community access to naloxone (sold under the brand name Narcan), a lifesaving prescription medication used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.

The MetroWest Health Department Naloxone Program, coordinated by the Framingham Health Department, is a collaborative effort between the four communities to make naloxone available through municipal health departments, according to the announcement. This pioneer program in the state was created with funding from the MetroWest Health Foundation.

Opioids such as heroin and Fentanyl are narcotic pain relievers as well as prescription medications, such as Oxycontin and Percocet. An opioid overdose can kill a person because the drug binds to the receptors in the brain responsible for breathing. Nalaxone binds to those receptors and reverses the opioid's effect by restoring breathing.

In partnership with the Justice Resource Institute’s Program Rise, staff members at each Health Department trained to provide overdose prevention education and instruction on how to administer naloxone. Individuals will be able to obtain a naloxone kit with two intranasal doses of the medication as well as guidance and direction at their local health department by private appointment.

Organizations or businesses interested in arranging overdose prevention training and naloxone kits for their employees may contact their local health department. Both of these free services are available to anyone who lives or works in Ashland, Framingham, Hudson or Natick.

Massachusetts state law allows for an individual to obtain and carry naloxone with the intention to administer it to another person. Through the statewide standing order, naloxone is available for anyone to purchase at participating pharmacies.

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