Idaho to distribute opioid overdose reversal drug

Idaho is re-activating a program to distribute Narcan, a brand of the opioid reversal drug naloxone.

Idaho organizations can now request naloxone through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s program by completing online request forms through the Division of Behavioral Health or the Drug Overdose Prevention Program, according to a news release Monday. Organizations can request two free nasal spray kits of Narcan and training kits, the release said. 

The state paused the program in April, the news release said. Idaho lawmakers earlier this year required that funding for the program only go to law enforcement, the Idaho Press reported. The program is now run in partnership with Kootenai County Fire & Rescue, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced in its news release. 

The state health department, expecting high demand, asked for patience during the request process, it said in the release.

Organizations that want training on how to administer naloxone should request it on the request form, the news release said.