Naloxone is a medication that can reduce deaths due to opioid overdoses. This toolkit guides local health departments, harm reduction agencies and other community-based organizations through the process of implementing a Naloxone Distribution Program.

In North Carolina, state law allows community organizations to distribute naloxone (see NC General Statute 90-12.7(c1)) Session Law 2023-65 was recently signed into law. This law amends the naloxone law to provide protection for the prescribing, dispensing, distribution, and administration of over the counter (OTC) naloxone, just as there has been protection for prescription naloxone. North Carolina has been a national leader in community distribution of naloxone- most notably through the work of syringe services programs and other community partners. North Carolina has also been the first state to have an EMS naloxone leave-behind program, whereby EMS personnel give persons who decline transport to the hospital after an overdose a free naloxone kit.

In response to the Opioid Settlement, Yadkin County formalized the creation of a local Opioid Coalition as well as an Opioid Coordinator and Community Paramedic. The objective of this Coalition is to advise the work of the Coordinator, as it is comprised of community partners as well as those with lived experience.