Montco to offer heroin antidote in health centers

Overdose-reversing drug Naloxone will be made available at no cost in three county health centers starting Wednesday.

T he Montgomer y County Health Department announced that health centers in Pottstown, Norristown and Willow Grove will carry the drug in the form of nasal spray kits, and distribute them to residents who cannot afford to purchase it or who do not have insurance that would cover the kits, according to a press release from the county.

“By making Naloxone available at the three Montgomery County Health Centers located throughout the county at no cost to those who could not otherwise afford it, MCHD is taking a major step in ensuring Naloxone is accessible to everyone,” said Val Arkoosh, vice chairwoman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and Interim Medical Director for the Montgomery County Department of Health.

The county purchased 30 kits per center, at a discounted rate of $75 per kit. For the public, the kits go for about $125 to $150 each, according to a county spokeswoman. Residents requesting the kit can walk into any of the three health centers and fill out a form before an on-site nurse will give them a demonstration on how to use the kit.

The health department has taken several steps over the past years to increase availability of the drug, which can save the life of someone overdosing from heroin or other opioids. A standing order Arkoosh issued in October allowed pharmacies throughout the county to distribute Naloxone. More than 275 kits had been distributed through the program.

Currently, officers in 26 of 49 Montgomery County police departments carry Naloxone while on duty. Since the program started in mid-2015, there have been 41 documented saves across the county.

The Naloxone kits will be available at the Norristown Health Center, 1430 DeKalb St,; the Pottstown Health Center, 364 King St. and the Willow Grove Health Center, 102 York Road, Suite 401.

More information on overdose prevention, a list of participating pharmacies in Montgomery County, and drug take back locations can be found at www.montcopa.org/overdoseprevention