Duplin County's emergency response team uses Naloxone to reverse the effects of an overdose potentially caused by various agents, including fentanyl, heroine and opioid medications. This medication is so important and helps save lives. Early and accurate administration of Naloxone greatly improves mortality rates and allows the public to take action against the opioid pandemic. The number of overdose calls for EMS where Naloxone was administered in 2022 and 2023 increased.

What's hurting:

• Public unaware of symptoms of overdose
• Public may not know where to get Naloxone and/or how to administer it
• Stigma or fear of calling EMS for overdose or use of Naloxone on their own

What's helping:

• Availability of Naloxone to public
• EMS early recognition of overdose symptoms

Local Law Enforcement

EMS

ECU Health Duplin

Mobile Crisis

NC STeP

Duplin County Schools

Duplin County Health Department

• Pre-EMS availability of Naloxone
• Awareness of sites within Duplin County that offer Naloxone 
• Education of public on early symptoms of overdose, what Naloxone is used for and how to administer it

• Perform public outreach and notify community partners of the process and availability to receive Naloxone at the LHD
• Community education events to education public on Naloxone administration and where to find it
• Continue efforts to supply public with Naloxone anonymously at no cost