Free Naloxone Kits

The Minnesota Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) Team and the Minnesota Department of Public Health are working together to offer free naloxone kits and training to first responders in Minnesota. The ORS is a joint initiative with the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and the CDC Foundation. 

The initiative is designed to enhance public health-public safety collaboration with the goal of reducing both fatal and non-fatal overdoses by improving information-sharing across agencies and supporting evidence-based interventions. 

Overdoses are increasing with fentanyl, and the constant evolution of fentanyl analogues (that may require multiple doses of naloxone to reverse) are also becoming more and more common. Now it is even more important for first responders to carry lifesaving naloxone for overdose victims and first responder safety. 

As a reminder, if you are a law enforcement, emergency medical services, or other type of first responder, please consider using the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP) to report overdoses. Agency access can be requested through the program’s website if needed. Also, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) asks that anyone who administers naloxone in the state fill out the anonymous reporting form at the Naloxone Reporting Tool. Data submitted through this form will be used by MDH to better understand how naloxone is used in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Health has partnered with the eight EMS regional directors to provide naloxone/narcan and naloxone education and training at no cost to first responders throughout the state of Minnesota. It is as simple as submitting your invoice for purchased naloxone to your EMS regional director or contacting the EMS regional director to purchase the naloxone for you. (You can get the contact information for your area’s EMS director here. Source: Minnesota Department of Public Health)

Cody Bassett, the naloxone coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Health, works with the EMS regional directors on naloxone distribution. If you or the first responders in your community need naloxone kits, education, training, or have any questions, you can either contact Cody at cody.bassett@state.mn.us or (651) 201-4244, or the EMS regional director in your service area. 

You may also contact me at tstille@lmc.org or give me a call at (651) 215-4051 if you have any questions.

Remember: Responder Safety = Public Safety

Up next: National Use-of-Force Data Collection

In the meantime, stay safe and be careful -
Tracy