Narcan: Better Access Can Help Save Lives

This nasal spray can save a life and offer a chance for recovery.

Across the United States and here in central Illinois, opioid overdoses continue to affect families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Narcan is one of the most effective tools we have to prevent opioid overdose deaths. This easily administered nasal spray can take effect within minutes, giving someone a second chance at life.

Why Narcan Access Matters

Opioid overdoses remain a major public health crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 76,500 people died in the 12 months ending April 30, 2025, at a rate of 210 deaths per day. Most of these deaths involved opioids, including fentanyl. Illinois has also been affected, with thousands of overdose deaths each year.

In Central Illinois, opioid overdoses may feel like a problem happening somewhere else. But addiction affects people in every kind of community, including large cities, small towns, and rural areas. Many overdoses happen at home, where family members or friends are nearby but don't know how to help.

That’s where Narcan comes in and can make a significant difference.

What is Narcan?

Narcan (generic name: Naloxone) is a fast-acting medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. It works by blocking opioids in the brain, which can allow the person to start breathing again. Narcan is safe and easy to use. It doesn't cause a “high,” and it won't harm someone if opioids are not present in the individual's system.

When Narcan is available, ordinary people (not just medical professionals) can act quickly during the critical minutes before emergency responders arrive. Because it’s easy to use and requires no medical training, Narcan empowers anyone to step in during an emergency.

How can Better Access to Narcan help?

During an overdose, breathing slows or stops. There is often a short but crucial window of time when Narcan can interrupt the overdose and save a life. If Narcan is nearby, it allows someone to act before emergency responders arrive.

Communities with better access to Narcan have fewer overdose deaths. Every dose gives someone another chance to live and seek help.

Easier Access to Narcan in Illinois

Illinois has taken important steps to make Narcan widely available. It's available without a prescription at many pharmacies. It’s often available for free through various community programs and services. To locate clinics and other providers offering free Narcan, visit FreeNaloxoneIL.com. Enter your Zip Code and follow the instructions to identify resources near you.

Illinois law now protects individuals who administer Narcan in an emergency while attempting to help. This means parents, friends, coworkers, and neighbors can carry Narcan and use it without fear of liability.

What You Can Do

The Moultrie County Health Department encourages residents to:

• Learn the signs of an overdose (slow breathing, blue lips, and unresponsiveness).
• Carry Narcan if you or someone you know is at risk.
• Call 911 immediately if you suspect an overdose—even after administering Narcan.
• Talk openly about addiction, recovery, and overdose prevention.

These are simple steps that can help save lives.

A Second Chance Is Possible

Narcan is not a cure for addiction, but it can help prevent tragedies. It gives families hope and offers individuals another opportunity to seek help. By increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and improving access to Narcan, communities can help prevent overdose deaths.

For more information about Narcan and overdose prevention, contact the Moultrie County Health Department.