Despite problems getting Narcan in other parts of the country, county and local emergency officials say there are plenty of supplies and options in Oneida County.

The Oneida County Opioid Task Force was formed in 2016 to help combat the opioid epidemic and provide both resources and education to residents. Among its various initiatives, they launched the Save-a-Life Narcan distribution program last summer, which distributed 100 Narcan cabinets in public places throughout the county, such as bars, stores and elsewhere.

“It’s going very well,” said Lisa Worden, task force coordinator of the Save-a-Life program. “We started with 100 cabinets, all of which have been deployed. We’ve just started filling more orders. It’s a very popular tool.”

The cabinets contain at least two Narcan or Naloxone doses, and are freely refilled by the county after they are used. Worden said they have ordered 40 more cabinets to be placed throughout the county.

“We always feel like we can do better,” Worden said.

The Task Force can also send Narcan supplies to homes or businesses by mail. Applications for mailed Narcan are available at the task force website at www.OCopioidtaskforce.org. Information on public cabinet locations and resources is also available at the website.

In Oneida County, Worden said Narcan is available at local pharmacies without a prescription, though it is not yet available over-the-counter. Anyone looking for Narcan will have to ask the pharmacist. Worden noted that the New York State Department of Health will assist with any Narcan insurance co-pays through their N-CAP program.

Along with being readily available to the public through county agencies, local emergency officials said their supplies are full and steady. Both Rome Fire Chief Thomas Iacovissi and AmCare Ambulance President Paul Taylor said they are able to stay stocked at little cost, thanks to Oneida County and Mid-State EMS.

“We have no problems at all staying stocked, and we run through quite a bit, actually,” Taylor noted, warning of an increase in drug overdoses in the past few years.

Both agencies are also part of the county’s Leave Behind program, where they leave additional Narcan supplies with the families after they respond to an overdose medical call.