Lee County first responders to get donated overdose antidote

DIXON, Ill. (AP) - Supplies of a nasal spray version of an opioid overdose antidote are being made available to law enforcement agencies and health workers in Lee County.

The Dixon Telegraph reports (http://bit.ly/29H328o) the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative is joining Ireland-based Adapt Pharma to make 10,000 doses of Narcan nasal spray available in the northern Illinois county.

Narcan is a brand-name version of naloxone, which is used to revive people who've stopped breathing because of an overdose of heroin or prescription opioid painkillers.

Prices of Narcan have increased from $18 to $80. The donated supplies are expected to arrive next month.

Increasing access to naloxone has become a key tool in efforts to curb overdoses across the nation.

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Information from: Dixon Telegraph, http://www.saukvalley.com