New Orleans, La. -(WGNO)- The City of New Orleans Health Department issued a public health advisory to notify the public of a significant increase in the number of heroin and opiate-related overdoses since Jan. 8, 2016.
As a result, the City’s Medical Director Dr. Joseph Kanter has issued a standing order for anyone in New Orleans to be able to purchase naloxone, a drug commonly referred to as Narcan, over-the-counter without a separate prescription. Naloxone, which reverses the effects of an overdose, is available at the UMC Outpatient Pharmacy at 2000 Canal Street.
New Orleans Emergency Medical Services, New Orleans Fire Department and local hospital emergency departments have been using naloxone to treat heroin and opiate overdoses successfully for years.
Today’s order will allow friends and family members of heroin addicts to have naloxone available and able to administer the antidote quickly, which will increase its effectiveness.
