CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Department of Health and Human Resources will send out 8,000 doses of the lifesaving antidote naloxone to non-EMS first responders this week, State Health Officer and Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health Dr. Rahul Gupta said Monday.
The first statewide naloxone distribution project will end up being 16,000 doses. The second 8,000-dose distribution will be determined by application.
Gupta said it’s all about saving lives.
“It’s critical that we do everything we can in our power as a state and our partners out there in the communities and neighborhoods to be able to save their lives in order to help them get treated,” he said. “Only if we can save a life can we get them in treatment and recovery and rehabilitation.”
This week’s distribution will be to law enforcement, volunteer fire departments, harm reduction programs, day report centers, treatment and recovery programs, Gupta said.
The distribution project is funded through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment $1.07 million block grant. The project is being operated by the DHHR’s Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities and Bureau for Public Health. The DHHR has contracted with West Virginia University’s Injury Control Research Center to do a census of existing naloxone programs.
Gupta said EMS crews are using naloxone on a daily basis across the state.
“Consumption just from the EMS data–went up by 25 percent in consumption of naloxone in 2016 than the year before,” he said. “We are saving lives out there by using this particular drug.”
The naloxone will be distributed in two-dose rescue kits, Gupta said.