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More than 1,000 doses of Narcan have been administered in Beaufort County in the last year by the county health department, according to Public Health Director JaNell Octigan. 

Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, an opioid antagonist that immediately works to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose caused by either fentanyl, heroin or opioid medications. In March of last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved selling Narcan in all 50 states without a prescription, making it the first opioid overdose reversal treatment to be sold over the counter, according to national news outlets. 

Pharmacies in the United States already carried naloxone; however, a prescription was required to obtain it. It is now available as either a nasal spray or as an injection. 

Of the reported number of administered Narcan doses in Beaufort County, community members have shared with the health department that there were 19 overdose reversals last year. Because this number is self-reported, the county health department expects more reversals took place. 

Octigan said Beaufort County Health Department is trying to track the number of overdose reversals, because they hope to add future data that better reflects actual numbers of reversals. That is “difficult” information to collect, because it takes time for the health department to build trust and a rapport with the community in addition to the information being largely self-reported, she said. The county health department collects data from EMTs on the number of Narcan doses they administer. 

In May, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a three percent decrease in the number of drug overdose deaths across the United States in 2023 from the previous year. In 2023, there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths compared to 111,029 estimated deaths in 2022. This is the first annual decrease in drug overdose deaths since 2018, according to the CDC. 

On a state level, from 2000 to 2022, more than 37,000 North Carolinians died from a drug overdose, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports. Further, nearly 12 North Carolinians died each day from a drug overdose in 2022 for a record of 4,339 people. Seventy-eight percent of those deaths involved fentanyl on its own or in combination with other drugs. Twelve drug overdose deaths were reported in Beaufort County in 2022, per a report by NC DHHS. Last year, there were 38 drug overdose emergency department visits in Beaufort County. 

In nearby Pitt County, there were 177 reported drug overdose emergency department visits in 2023, but 91 drug overdose deaths in 2022. 

The state works with county health departments to overcome a statewide opioid epidemic by sending Narcan. County health departments, like Beaufort County, receive grant funding that supplements costs of Narcan; therefore, county dollars are not spent on Narcan. In addition, Trillium Health Resources donates Narcan to the Beaufort County Health Department. Trillium is a Tailored Plan and Managed Care Organization that manages serious mental health, substance abuse, traumatic brain injury, and intellectual/developmental disability services in North Carolina. 

“We know it’s a life-saving tool. With education and training, we’ve been able to get it out to community members, other businesses, local organizations, faith-based organizations so that the opportunity to save a life came upon them, they have the right tools to do so,” Octigan said. 

She continued to say education on Narcan and how to use it is increasing in Beaufort County. 

“I do see right now in regards to Narcan is the education and the boots on the ground, individuals that have been going out and educating community groups and the public regarding Narcan, there’s a better understanding and appreciation for what Narcan is,” she said. 

People in Beaufort County are seeking information about Narcan and how to use it, because they want to reverse a statewide opioid crisis, she said. 

The county health department is bringing awareness to their Prevention Point Program which is a resource for people active in substance abuse. The program discreetly provides syringes, safe injection equipment, Narcan and educational materials. It also collects used syringes, diabetic needles and hormone needles in addition to providing treatment or care referrals.