Baltimore City short on overdose kits (WBAL)

Wednesday Apr 11th, 2018

The U.S. surgeon general wants more people to learn how to carry and know how to use the drug Naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an overdose. His office recently issued a public health advisory on the matter as thousands continue to die every day from the opioid crisis.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued a standing order more than two years ago allowing a blanket Naloxone prescription for anyone in the city. The problem, she said, is the expense of getting it to those who need it.

"The problem we have is not the policy, it's the price. Between now and July, I only have about 160 kits of Naloxone left to give out, which means that every day, I have to make a decision about who is going to get this Naloxone and who will have to go without," Wen said.

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