Nalaxone Now Available In Norristown

NORRISTOWN, PA -- The Montgomery County Health Department is expanding the availability of Nalaxone, a drug that has been hailed by law-enforcement as lifesaving in addressing opioid overdoses.

NARCAN Nasal Spray kits will be made available at three health centers around the county beginning June 1, the health department announced in a press release.

The affected offices include:

• Norristown Health Center Montgomery County Human Services Center, 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown
• Pottstown Health Center, 364 King Street Pottstown
• Willow Grove Health Center, Montgomery County Eastern Court House Annex, 102 York Road, Suite 401, Willow Grove,

Two single units will be dispensed at all three health centers to persons at risk of experiencing an opiate-related overdose; or to a family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist an individual at risk of experiencing an opiate-related overdose, the county said.

The kits will be available for residents with no insurance and for residents with a financial hardship that renders them unable to afford the copay at a participating pharmacy.

According to a 2015 report cited by the county, Pennsylvania ranked ninth in the country in drug overdose deaths, with 18.9 per 100,000 people.

Drug overdoses were also reported as the leading cause of injury.

Overdoses are also rapidly becoming much more common in the region. Between 2009 and 2014, deaths due to opiates in Montgomery County increased by 72%. Just over half (51%) were attributed to heroin, according to the health department.

Currently, officers in 26 of 49 Montgomery County police departments carry Naloxone while on duty; a 37% increase from 2015. Since the program started in mid-2015, there have been 41 documented saves across the county, according to officials.