Carry Naloxone to Prevent Overdoses

How does naloxone work? 

Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist. This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. But, naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system, and it is not a treatment for opioid use disorder.

What should I do if I think someone is overdosing?

How do I use naloxone? 

Why carry naloxone? 

Naloxone saves lives. 

According to the CDC, nearly 50,000 people died from an opioid-involved overdose in 2019. One study found that bystanders were present in more than one in three overdoses involving opioids. With the right tools, bystanders can act to prevent overdose deaths. Anyone can carry naloxone, give it to someone experiencing an overdose, and potentially save a life.

Who should carry naloxone?

• If you or someone you know is at increased risk for opioid overdose, especially those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), you should carry naloxone and keep it at home.
• People who are taking high-dose opioid medications (greater or equal to 50 morphine milligram equivalents per day) prescribed by a doctor;
• People who use opioids and benzodiazepines together, and;
• People who use illicit opioids like heroin should all carry naloxone. 

Because you can’t use naloxone on yourself, let others know you have it in case you experience an opioid overdose.

Carrying naloxone is no different than carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (commonly known by the brand name EpiPen) for someone with allergies. It simply provides an extra layer of protection for those at a higher risk for overdose by allowing bystanders to help a fatal overdose and save lives.

Save Lives. Get Free Naloxone.

A proven strategy to address rising opioid overdose deaths is widespread naloxone distribution within the community. Any member of the public can call 2-1-1 to find out where naloxone is available near them. Individuals can obtain naloxone free of charge in San Diego County at the following locations:

Walk-in Locations

Family Health Centers of SD SafePoint Program
Address: Imperial Ave & 16th St
Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 to 9 p.m.
Phone: 619-993-0216

Family Health Centers of SD Safe Point Program
Address: North Park Way and 31st Street
Phone: 619-993-0216

North County LGBTQ Resource Center
Address: 3220 Mission Ave., Suite #2, Oceanside, CA 92058
Hours: Monday through Friday; 10a.m. - 6 p.m.
Phone: 760-994-1690

County of San Diego Regional Public Health Centers

Central Region
Address: 5101 Market St, San Diego, CA 92114
Hours: Hours vary, please call for availability
Phone: 619-229-5400

East Region
Address: 367 North Magnolia Avenue,El Cajon, CA 92020
Hours: Hours vary, please call for availability
Phone: 619-441-6500

North Coastal Region
Address: 3609 Ocean Ranch Blvd, Ste 104, Oceanside, CA 92056
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
Phone: 760-967-4401

North Inland Region
Address: 649 West Mission Avenue, Suite 2, Escondido, CA 92025
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 760-740-3000

South Region
Address: 690 Oxford Street, Chula Vista, CA 91911
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-409-3110

North Central Region
Address: 5055 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123
Hours: Hours vary, please call for availability
Phone: 858-573-7300

Vending Machine Locations

Las Colinas Detention Center
Address: 451 Riverview Pkwy, Santee, CA 92071 
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Vista Detention Facility
Address: 325 S Melrose Dr Ste 200, Vista, CA 92081
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

George F. Bailey Detention Facility
Address: 446 Alta Rd # 5300, San Diego, CA 92158
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

East Mesa Detention Facility
Address: 446 Alta Rd Ste 5200, San Diego, CA 92158
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

McAlister Institute 
Address: 1180 Third Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91911
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

How can I help distribute naloxone? 

The County of San Diego is assisting organizations who would like to provide free naloxone to their clients and community members to help reduce overdose deaths in San Diego. If you would like to become a provider and distributor of naloxone within your community, please email harmreduction@sdcounty.ca.gov to obtain information on becoming a Naloxone Distribution Program partner. Additionally, the following information is intended to provide tools and resources for programs and staff who will be administering naloxone, distributing to community members, and collecting and recording data. 

Naloxone Distribution Project Toolkit

Example Distribution Trainings and Guides

• Example Community Distribution Training PowerPoint from County of San Diego
• San Diego HHSA Naloxone Distribution Desk Guide Site Leads
• San Diego Naloxone Distribution Desk Guide for Staff Distributing Naloxone

Education Materials

• Narcan Flyer (English)
• Narcan Flyer (Spanish)

Data Collection

• Microsoft Forms Naloxone Distribution Data Entry
• Naloxone Distribution Program (NDP) Data Collection Form

Naloxone Distribution Program Partner Agreements and Policies

• Naloxone Distribution Program Provider Agreement 

For questions, please contact harmreduction@sdcounty.ca.gov. This box is monitored regularly with responses provided in a timely manner.
 

Naloxone Vending Machine Frequently Asked Questions