In an effort to save lives and prevent overdoses, Governor Greg Abbott announced the launch of an online interactive map by the Texas Department of State Health Services to help Texans locate Naloxone (NARCAN).

What is NARCAN?

NARCAN (naloxone) is a life-saving medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses. It works by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain and restoring normal breathing in a person experiencing an overdose. Narcan is 80% effective in reversing an opioid overdose, as long as it is administered quickly.

NARCAN is available as a nasal spray and is commonly carried by first responders, healthcare providers, and individuals at risk of opioid overdose. It can be obtained for free at certain locations or purchased at pharmacies without a prescription in many areas.

The map is a part of the "One Pill Kills" campaign, an initiative that aims to prevent fentanyl poisonings across the state.

With the recent instalment of NARCAN vending machines and distribution centers across Texas, some might find it a bit harder to actually locate them, this map will make it easier for those at risk to locate this life-saving medication.

In El Paso, Texas, there are two locations available where you can easily order it online or individuals could go in during business hours and and request the NARCAN.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, drug overdose is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for those aged 18-45. That's in spite of the fact that the numbers of overdose deaths declined between 2023 and 2024. You can check out the map here.