LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — While the United States has been hit hard by an opioid crisis over the last several years, Nebraska hasn't seen as much tragedy, ranking last in opioid overdoses by the CDC.
Still, the federal government has given all 50 states money to fight the epidemic and aid those who need it.
Nebraska over the last few years has armed first-responders with the medication Narcan, which blocks opioids and helps prevents overdoses.
“Like a life jacket or a safety vest, we hope you never have to use it but we want it to be available," says Lindsey Hanlon, Network and Prevention manager, Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, Behavioral Health.
With the rise of opioid overdose, the drug, Nalaxone, better known as Narcan, is becoming an essential tool in a first aid kit, and now any Nebraska resident can get it, confidentially, no cost.
“They’re able to go get that, and have that on hand and it’s just a nice piece of mind, it’s not a cure all, it’s not a fix-all and it’s not endorsing somebody to go use drugs," says Hanlon.
Before the program started this week, anybody in the state could walk up to a pharmacy and get a prescription for Narcan, but the cost is burdensome, with each kit going for about $120.
“It’s expensive. When we remove that barrier, I’m hoping we’ll be able to get more Narcan into the hands of people who need it,” says Marcia Mueting, VP of Professional Affairs, Nebraska Pharmacists Association.
The pilot program is designed for anybody, whether it be an opioid user, loved one, or caregiver, to get the nasal spray.
And if an overdose begins, they can use the spray, and then call 911.
“This is just going to help hopefully, give first-responders more time to get there and take care of that person," says Mueting.
Right now you can pick up the Narcan in one of three locations that includes Kohl’s Pharmacy in Lincoln, but eventually they hope the program goes statewide.
So while you have to go to Lincoln or Auburn to get Narcan now, that could change soon.
"Our hope is to gather some data from these three sites, how that’s working, what does work, what doesn’t work and eventually take that statewide into other pharmacies that want to participate as well,” says Hanlon.
Iowa recently started a program that will mail Narcan to anybody that needs it after a video consultant with a pharmacist.
