Narcan in Every Hand: A Life-Saving Move for Georgia
Georgia is in the midst of a devastating opioid epidemic. Between 2019 and 2022, the state saw a 76% rise in opioid-related deaths, including a 308% surge in fatalities involving fentanyl. In 2022 alone, overdoses claimed the lives of over 2,000 Georgians. This crisis is not just one of Georgia’s. Across the nation, 80,391 individuals lost their lives to an opioid overdose in 2024. Behind these statistics lies the undeniable truth that these tragedies were preventable. Many of these lives could have been saved through broader access to Naloxone, a medication that reverses an opioid overdose.
Known as Narcan, the main active ingredient, Naloxone, works by attaching to the same receptors in the brain that opioids target. Since Naloxone binds tighter to the brain’s receptors, it effectively knocks opioids off the receptors and prohibits them from reconnecting. It functions as an opioid antagonist, counteracting the effects of opioids, including those of heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine. Narcan is administered through injection or nasal spray, with the nasal form preferred for its speed and simplicity. It seems easy enough, doesn’t it? Yet many Georgians continually struggle to access Narcan due to barriers such as cost, stigma, and limited availability.
In 2017, Georgia took its first major step toward addressing this epidemic with Senate Bill 121. The law exempted Naloxone from the state’s list of controlled substances when used to prevent overdoses. It also allowed individuals to obtain it from pharmacies without a prescription, making Narcan more accessible. Additionally, Senate Bill 121 provided legal immunity to anyone administering Narcan in good faith during an overdose. These measures laid the groundwork for future policies aimed at combating the opioid crisis more effectively.
Senate Bill 121 was an important and necessary first step. However, it still fails to guarantee equal access to Narcan for all Georgians. Rural communities across Georgia still lack local pharmacies or county health centers that distribute Narcan. In the few that do, individuals are often required to pay out-of-pocket, costing them between $35 and $50. Meanwhile, residents in urban areas can usually access Narcan and certain addiction services free of charge. While $35 may not seem prohibitive, for many, it represents a difficult choice that continues to claim lives each day.
Senate Bill 395, also known as Wesley’s Law, was signed into law by Governor Kemp in 2024 and represents a major step forward in Georgia’s efforts to combat the opioid crisis. The law expands access to Narcan in schools and government buildings, requires these institutions to maintain accessible supplies, and further extends legal immunity to those who administer Narcan. This initiative improves the state’s emergency preparedness and helps prevent overdose-related deaths in public spaces, but it overlooks a critical issue. A majority of fatal drug overdoses happen within people’s homes, areas that this legislation does not reach.
To close this gap in legislation, lawmakers should expand existing policies to guarantee widespread community distribution of Narcan. This could allow individuals to access and keep it in their homes rather than limiting availability to certain public spaces. Georgia must make Narcan available not only in schools and government buildings, but also in libraries, universities, and other community spaces. Additionally, access should be prioritized in areas with limited availability of pharmacies. The state should fund free distribution programs and training initiatives. Public awareness campaigns are also essential to ensure everyone can obtain and properly use Narcan when needed. Expanding availability beyond institutional settings is crucial to effectively confront the full scope of the opioid crisis.
Critics often argue that expanding access to Narcan will lead to higher rates of opioid use. However, public health experts have repeatedly disproved this claim. Communities with easier access to Narcan experience equal or even lower rates of opioid use compared to those without it. Narcan does not promote addiction– it prevents death. Without it, individuals struggling with opioid dependence lose the opportunity to seek treatment and recovery.
Georgia holds both a moral and fiscal responsibility to act on this crisis. Overdose incidents are becoming one of the most common reasons for EMS and law enforcement dispatches. Expanding community access to Narcan also alleviates the pressure on emergency services and reduces healthcare costs associated with overdose hospitalizations. We already have the tool to save lives, but it is failing to reach the Georgians who need it most. In an overdose situation, every second matters. It’s time for Georgia to ensure Narcan is accessible to everyone–because saving a life should never depend on your zip code, income, or whether the nearest pharmacy carries it.
Megan Dooley is a third-year at the University of Georgia studying psychology and criminal justice. She is a member of our housing group.