State officials want to put friends and loved ones of prescription drug addicts on the front lines of the battle against opioid deaths.
The key is more access to the overdose reversal drug Naloxone, which is an increasingly common tool among first responders.
There are now 19 community hubs throughout Oklahoma that offer free Naloxone kits.
"Loved ones, those who are at risk for opioid overdose and also other likely witnesses to overdose can now walk into a location in Oklahoma and request one of these kits with medication," said Jessica Hawkins with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Staff at those hubs will train people how to use them — and they'll do more than that.
"Those loved ones are told about medication-assisted treatment. They're told about treatment services in their area. They're also provided assistance and referrals with respect to helping their loved one find recovery," Hawkins said.
In the coming weeks, 13 more hubs will open. There's an online tool to find the closest one, or you can text "Naloxone" to 55155.
