Narcan distribution program to be voted on at Monday’s City Council Meeting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Institute of Mental Health and the UMSL Addiction Science Team have created a naloxone distribution pilot program that will be voted on at Monday's City Council meeting.

According to UMSL's Science Addiction Team, opioid overdoses made up 72% of drug overdose deaths in Missouri.

Naloxone, more commonly referred to as Narcan is a nasal spray that can help people who are overdosing on an opioid.

Heather Harlan, Community Health Educator for the Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services said that this program is essential for the community, especially at a time when Narcan is not yet available over the counter.

"This is a way of continuing to offer help to all sectors of our community because when people have to get it through a pharmacy it still creates a lot of obstacles. Even as it becomes over the counter,"  Harlan said.

If approved, the agreement presented tomorrow would allow the UMSL Science Addiction team to provide no-cost naloxone kits to Columbia/Boone County Health Department to distribute to opioid overdose survivors, their loved ones and individuals who are at risk of experiencing or witnessing an opioid overdose event.

Harlan also tells me that many people are unaware they can save a life with naloxone, so this program will be a great way to educate people in Columbia.

"To educate the community, to reach out, to help citizens feel confident that they could intervene if they are witnessing an opioid overdose," Harlan said.

If approved tomorrow, the understanding will be effective from the time of the final signature to September 2026.