Narcan (Naloxone)

Narcan (naloxone) is available to the public at El Paso County Public Health locations while supplies last. Narcan is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Narcan can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. But Narcan has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system, and it is not a treatment for opioid use disorder. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine.

The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) provides free naloxone to local health departments and other eligible entities to reduce opioid-involved deaths.

How do I get Narcan at El Paso County Public Health?

Anyone can stop by any of our three locations to pick up free Narcan kits (two 4mg nasal spray doses per kit) from 8 a.m – 4 p.m. (with exception of lunch break from 12 p.m. -1 p.m.) Monday through Friday. For those seeking five or more kits, please contact our behavioral health planner for potential partnership and educational opportunities at maggieyoukhana@elpasoco.com.

Our locations are:

CITIZEN’S SERVICE CENTER

1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80907

EL PASO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SOUTH

6436 U.S. Highway 85-87

Fountain, CO, 80817

VALLEY HIGH LOCATION

2948 E. Fountain Blvd.

Colorado Springs, CO, 80910

Where can I learn more about how to use Narcan?

If you or someone you know is interested in getting trained in using Narcan, please see the resources below. Public health does not provide training, but anyone can access free training through the following:

Resources

Drug Policy Alliance: Facts About Fentanyl
El Paso County quarterly data brief: spotlight on fentanyl
Narcan Information
Narcan FAQ

Fentanyl Facts

Illegally Made Fentanyl

Illicit drugs do not come with an ingredient list. Many contain deadly doses of fentanyl and are widely available on the drug market in the form of liquid or powder. Powdered fentanyl is commonly mixed in with drugs such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and pills imitating other prescriptions.

Counterfeit Pills

Fentanyl in the form of counterfeit pills is made to look the same as prescription opioids such asalprazolam (Xanax), oxycodone, hydrocodone, Adderall, and other medications.

Secondhand Smoke

There is no overdose risk from fentanyl secondhand smoke. When fentanyl is smoked, most of the drug is filtered out by the user and the risk of exposure from secondhand smoke is very low.

Touching Fentanyl

You cannot overdose on fentanyl just by touching it. Illegal fentanyl is sold as a powder, liquid, in eyedroppers or nasal sprays, or made into pills. To cause harm, fentanyl must enter your body by ingesting it or through the eyes or nose.Fentanyl cannot enter the body through the skin.

Naloxone

Naloxone (Narcan) is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Some opioids are stronger and might require multiple doses of naloxone. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine.

Cannabis

There are no known cannabis products containing fentanyl.Commercial vaping products cannot reach temperatures hot enough to vape fentanyl.

Xylazine

Xylazine, also known as “Tranq”, is a potent animal tranquilizer. The drug is used illegally to mix with fentanyl, other opioids, or heroin. Xylazine’s sedating effect lasts longer than other illegal drugs. If someone overdoses while taking xylazine, treatment with naloxone does not reverse the effects.

Legal Medical Uses

Prescription fentanyl is approved for use in the medical setting to treat pain. Fentanyl can be safe when used as prescribed and can come in the form of lozenges, patches and nasal sprays.