Community Distribution of Naloxone
In North Carolina, state law allows community organizations to distribute naloxone (see NC General Statute 90-12.7(c1)). In order to distribute naloxone, an organization must first obtain a distribution standing order. Consult the NC Naloxone Distribution Toolkit to learn more about creating a naloxone distribution program.
July 2023 update:
Session Law 2023-65 was recently signed into law. This law amends the naloxone law to provide protection for the prescribing, dispensing, distribution, and administration of over the counter (OTC) naloxone, just as there has been protection for prescription naloxone. This is necessary due to the FDA’s approval of an OTC formulation of naloxone that will be coming out in 2023. This change is effective immediately.
About the Naloxone Distribution Toolkit
North Carolina has been a national leader in community distribution of naloxone–most notably through the work of the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition. As of January 2019, the NCHRC had distributed over 101,000 free naloxone kits and received 13,394 reports of successful administration of naloxone by laypersons. North Carolina has also been the first state to have an EMS naloxone leave-behind program, whereby EMS personnel give persons who decline transport to the hospital after an overdose a free naloxone kit.
This toolkit intends to help organizations understand the laws and logistics implicated in naloxone distribution in an effort to further promote community distribution of naloxone in North Carolina.
Webinar on Expanding Naloxone Access in North Carolina
Recently, Injury-Free NC hosted a webinar on expanding naloxone access in North Carolina. View the webinar recording here to learn more about the fundamentals of naloxone distribution, examples of community-based distribution, partnerships to expand naloxone distribution such as working with local law enforcement, and options for purchasing naloxone.