Mercer County is one of eight high priority counties slated to receive 1,000 doses of naloxone, a drug that first responders can use to aid the victims of drug overdoses.
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Bureau for Public Health announced Tuesday that efforts are underway to distribute naloxone statewide to emergency first responders. As part of Governor Jim Justice’s 2018 legislative agenda, through S.B. 272, which became effective Tuesday, all first responders will carry naloxone subject to sufficient funding and supplies and be trained to reduce overdose deaths in West Virginia.
“DHHR has purchased a $1 million supply of naloxone, about 34,000 doses, as part of Gov. Justice’s commitment to combatting the opioid crisis,” Dr. Rahul Gupta, State Health Officer and Commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health, said.