Narcan available over-the-counter but, at $45 a box, equity concerns arise
Justin Garrity immerses himself in endless information and data about the state's opioid crisis.
"We're seeing so much fentanyl infiltrate drugs," said Garrity, the Director of Recovery Services for the Healing Transitions men's campus.
Garrity knows the program well because he went through it himself. He's been in recovery for nine years now. In that time, the number of North Carolinians dying every year from overdoses has more than tripled. In 2022, more than 3800 lives were lost, according to state data.
One solution to combating the crisis, according to Garrity, is Narcan. It's an opioid overdose reversal agent that's a nasal spray.
"The best way to overcome the overdose crisis is to saturate the field with Narcan," he said.
As of last week, it is available over-the-counter. WRAL Data Trackers checked pharmacies around Raleigh and found it on shelves, some down to their last box, which surprised the pharmacist who told reporters they were shocked at the demand.
EMS around the state had more than 1000 encounters with people who were overdosing, according to data. Garrity says Narcan is used by people beyond EMS like others who are living with substance use disorder and family members or friends. It's why he feels it's important it is on the shelves and readily available for anyone to purchase but has reservations about the cost - $45 a box - and which areas will carry it.
"When I was using, I wasn't going to pay $45 for anything for anything that wasn't life sustaining which was either drugs or food," Garrity said.
Overdoses have been skyrocketing among people of color, data shows. Garrity says he's concerned that Narcan won't be placed in those locations, worsening the crisis for those communities.
In general, he says, having narcan available to everyone will hopefully make a difference.
"It absolutely can save lives.
