Anyone in Ohio can obtain free naloxone and overdose response education through Project DAWN locations. To find a site near you, use the List of Project DAWN Locations by County. If there are no locations in your area, consider using one of the listed statewide mail-order programs.
Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone) is a network of opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution programs (OENDP) coordinated by the Ohio Department of Health.
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone (commonly known as NARCAN®) is a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug (heroin, illicit fentanyl, or prescription pain medications). When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and quickly restores breathing. Naloxone has been used safely by emergency medical professionals for more than 40 years and has only one critical function: to prevent overdose death by reversing the effects of opioids. Naloxone is a safe, non-controlled drug and has no potential for abuse.
If naloxone is given to a person who is not experiencing an opioid overdose, it is harmless. If naloxone is administered to a person who is dependent on opioids, it will produce withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal, although uncomfortable, is not life-threatening.
Naloxone can be administered by trained laypersons, which can be helpful if a friend, family member, or other bystander witnesses a person overdosing.
Naloxone can be administered in three ways:
- Intranasal spray (i.e., NARCAN®).
- Intramuscular/subcutaneous (i.e., Evzio®).
- Intravenous injection.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states the effects of naloxone last for 30-90 minutes and may require additional doses to prevent a person from going back into overdose.
For more information on overdose response, please visit the Resources.
NARCAN® Distribution in Hamilton County
Hamilton County Public Health, through the NARCAN® Distribution Collaborative (NDC), is making NARCAN® (Naloxone) available to Hamilton County (OH) residents at NO CHARGE. We are also distributing NARCAN® in the Hamilton County Public Health Clinic by appointment. The Hamilton County Public Health Clinic is located at 184 E. McMillan St. Cincinnati, OH 45219. If you would like to make an appointment for a NARCAN® training or would like more information on NARCAN® distribution, please contact NDC staff at 513-309-1522 or [email protected].
NARCAN® by Mail
HCPH is now offering free mail order NARCAN® to Hamilton County (OH) residents. To obtain a kit through the mail please click this link. If you live outside Hamilton County (OH), visit your local health department to find out where you can find NARCAN® in your area.
Where can I get naloxone in Clermont County?
Clermont Recovery Center offers free naloxone kits to the public. Call the recovery center at 513-735-8100 to learn more. There is no cost associated with the kit, but you must attend a brief training before obtaining one.
