At least once a week, someone in Santa Barbara County dies from an opioid overdose. Now, there's a new effort to prevent overdoses.
The lifesaving medication Narcan is now available free from the Santa Barbara Police Department’s station lobby, explained Santa Barbara Police Commander Brian Miller.
"Our community is affected by the opioid crisis just as much as anywhere else across the country," said Miller.
"Our officers and first responders respond to overdoses on a very regular basis. And oftentimes, the timing of when that life-saving medication can be administered makes all the difference in whether the person, you know, pulls through or not. We wanted to make sure that we provided another location where they can come and get that life-saving medication and get any other resources they may be looking for," he said.
A box containing two Narcan doses is available during lobby hours. Members of the public are not required to register for it or provide personal information.
The Santa Barbara Police Department Narcan Distribution Program is available Monday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit the Santa Barbara Police Department's website or call 805-897-2355 for more information about the Narcan Distribution Program.
