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naloxone 3 Narcan is free, easy to use + potentially life-saving—here's what you need to know — Carrying Narcan could save your life or someone else’s. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

If you’ve heard the word “Narcan” in the news or on social media, you might have questions: What is it? Who is it for? And why is it important right here in Birmingham?

With these questions in mind, I headed to the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) to learn more about how Narcan works, and everything the average Birmingham resident needs to know about the life-saving medication for opioid users.

First things first: What is Narcan?

naloxone 8 Narcan is free, easy to use + potentially life-saving—here's what you need to know — Naloxone, commonly known by its brand name “Narcan.” (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, a medication that reverses an opioid overdose.

Opioids (also called opiates) include prescription pain medications like hydrocodone, morphine, Percocet, Lortab, codeine and fentanyl patches as well as illicit drugs like heroin and fentanyl.

Narcan works by binding to those opioids in the body and blocking their effects. In short: It can restart breathing during an overdose. It’s given as a nasal spray—one spray in the nose—and it’s designed to be easy for anyone to use.

One of the most common myths? That Narcan is only for people using street drugs.

“Narcan is a very safe medication that will reverse the effects of an opiate overdose.

Opiates are prescribed legally by health care providers for pain. People who have chronic pain, such as back pain, joint pain, muscle pain and acute pain are prescribed opiates, so many of these people tend to be older adults.

Narcan is for anyone taking an opiate pain medication, and it can be very easy to overdose on an opiate.”
Scott Melton, MSN, RN with JCDH’s Population Health

What Jefferson County residents need to know

naloxone 6 Narcan is free, easy to use + potentially life-saving—here's what you need to know — Kristen Reek, RN, helped teach me how to administer Narcan quickly and safely. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Another key point: If you’re not sure what someone has taken, give the Narcan anyway.

“Bystanders need to remember one thing: Give the Narcan.

It is a safe drug. It cannot hurt anyone. If the person is not experiencing an opioid overdose, for example, if it’s low blood sugar—Narcan won’t harm them. It simply won’t have an effect.”

According to the JCDH’s data, Alabama has one of the highest opioid dispensing rates in the country, second only to Alaska. About 71.4% of people are prescribed pain medication, and Jefferson County continues to see a high number of opioid overdoses.

That’s why harm reduction matters—keeping people alive and as safe as possible whether they are prescribed opioids or struggling with substance use disorder. You can’t begin recovery if you don’t survive the overdose.

Real stories from real Alabamians

naloxone 2 Narcan is free, easy to use + potentially life-saving—here's what you need to know — Kristen was able to help me understand the real-world impact of Narcan awareness. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

naloxone 5 Narcan is free, easy to use + potentially life-saving—here's what you need to know — Kristen was able to help me understand the real-world impact of Narcan awareness. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Beyond the statistics and headlines, it’s still hard to imagine being in a moment where I’d need to administer Narcan—until I read the real-life stories from these Jefferson County residents:

“When my friend overdosed in my car in the parking lot of a gas station, I had to give her two doses of Narcan. I didn’t think she was going to come back because her lips were blue. When Birmingham Police showed up, they gave her two more doses of IM Narcan, and she finally started breathing again. I’ll never forget it. A week later, she went to treatment, and now she has been in recovery for eight years.”
Jess

“I picked up two Narcan boxes from the Health Department, and both were used on people who would have surely been dead.”
Jeff

“I will never forget doing a shot of fentanyl and realizing I was about to overdose. What felt like only seconds later, I regained consciousness on the pavement with Birmingham Police and EMS standing over me.

Years later, I got the chance to save someone else’s life with Narcan, just as someone had done for me years before. I was headed to Firehouse Shelter to drop off Narcan for the staff, and I saw someone in a strange position under the Rainbow Bridge. After four doses of Narcan, he still wasn’t waking up. When EMS arrived, they gave him three more doses before he regained consciousness. I’m so glad we saw him that day.

I am forever grateful for this medication, for its widespread availability, and for the people who talk openly about it to help reduce the stigma around carrying it. It saves lives. It gives people like me, the stranger on the street, and my loved one the chance to recover one day.”
Dani

Where can you get Narcan in Birmingham?

naloxone 11 Narcan is free, easy to use + potentially life-saving—here's what you need to know — Get Narcan for free at the Jefferson County Department of Health. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Here’s another reason to carry Narcan: it’s is free and easy to access.

The Jefferson County Department of Health provides free Narcan:

In the lobby of all three JCDH health department locations:
- Central office: 1400 6th Ave S in Birmingham
- Eastern office: 601 West Blvd in Roebuck
- Western office: 631 Bessemer Super Highway in Midfield
By mail anywhere in Alabama through JCDH.org
At 17 partnering pharmacies in Jefferson County

You can also find free Narcan (and fentanyl test strips) at places like: