Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug (such as prescription pain medication or heroin). When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing within two to eight minutes. Naloxone has been used safely by medical professionals for more than 40 years to reverse the effects of opioids on the brain and respiratory system in order to prevent death.
The Health Department provides naloxone (Narcan®) and training through collaborations with community-based organizations. These partners distribute naloxone and provide overdose response training, opioid misuse prevention training and referrals to treatment across Vermont.
People who should carry naloxone:
- People who use opioid drugs (either prescribed or illicit)
- Those who interact with people who use drugs (like friends, family, and emergency personnel)
If you or someone you know is struggling with an opioid use disorder or is in treatment, you can get naloxone to carry or keep in your first aid kit at one of our partner distribution sites listed below.
The Good Samaritan Law provides some legal protection to anyone who gives naloxone or calls 9-1-1 in an overdose situation.
IF SOMEONE IS OVERDOSING, GIVE NALOXONE AND CALL 9-1-1
Call 2-1-1 for free and confidential treatment and harm reduction resources or find information about Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment on this site.
VT Helplink is your statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services in Vermont. Helplink services are free and confidential. Find more information on VT Helplink services.
Common overdose situations
- When tolerance is down due to not using, for example after being in jail, detox or drug-free treatment
- When drugs are mixed, especially with alcohol or benzodiazepines
- When using alone
Check for signs of overdose
- Person is unconscious or not waking up
- Doesn’t respond to shouting or rubbing knuckles on breastbone or between upper lip and nose
- Person is not breathing normally
- Breathing very slowly or not breathing
- Snoring, choking, or gurgling sounds
If you think someone may be experiencing an opioid overdose, follow these steps:
- Check for signs of an opioid overdose.
- Call 9-1-1.
- Give naloxone.
- Start rescue breathing and chest compressions.
Stay with the person until they go to the hospital. Someone who was given naloxone may be at risk for another overdose.
The Health Department has partnered with a growing number of community-based organizations to distribute overdose rescue kits containing naloxone. Individuals can get naloxone as well as prevention and overdose response training designed and approved by the Health Department at these distribution sites.
| TOWN | ORGANIZATION | CONTACT INFORMATION |
|---|---|---|
| Newport | North Country Hospital | 189 Prouty Drive Newport, VT 05855 802-334-3210, Ext. 618 |
| Berlin | Central Vermont Addiction Medicine |
300 Granger Road |
| Brattleboro | Groundworks Collaborative | 60 Main Street Brattleboro, VT 05301 802-257-5415 |
| Bellows Falls | Parks Place | 44 School Street Ext. Bellows Falls, VT 05101 |
| South Burlington | Howard Center – Chittenden Clinic | 75 San Remo Drive So. Burlington, VT 05403 802-488-6450 |
| Newport | BAART Behavioral Health Services | 475 Union Street Newport, VT 05855 802-334-0110 |
| Brattleboro | Habit Opco – Brattleboro | 16 Town Crier Drive Brattleboro, VT 05301 802-258-4623 |
| St. Albans | Howard Center – St. Albans | 172 Fairfield Street St. Albans, VT 05478 802-524-7265 |
| Burlington | Howard Center – Safe Recovery Program | 45 Clark Street Burlington, VT 05401 802-488-6067 |
| White River Junction | HIV/HCV Resource Center – Syringe Exchange Program |
70 North Main Street |
| Newport | Turning Point of Newport – Journey to Recovery Center | 58 Third Street Newport, VT 05855 802-624-4156 |
| St. Johnsbury | Kingdom Recovery Center | 297 Summer Street St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 802-751-8520 |
| Morrisville | North Central Vermont Recovery Center |
275 Brooklyn Street, Suite 2 |
| Middlebury | Turning Point of Addison County |
54 A1 Creek Road |
| Bennington | Turning Point of Bennington County | 160 Benmont Avenue, 4th Floor Bennington, VT 05201 802-442-9700 |
| Barre | Turning Point of Central Vermont | 489 North Main Street Barre, VT 05641 802-479-7373 |
| Burlington | Turning Point of Chittenden County | 191 Bank Street, Suite 200 Burlington, VT 05401 802-861-3150 |
| St. Albans | Turning Point of Franklin County | 182 Lake Street St. Albans, VT 05478 802-782-8454 |
| Rutland | Turning Point Center of Rutland | 141 State Street Rutland, VT 05701 802-773-6010 |
| Hartford | Upper Valley Turning Point | 200 Olcott Drive Hartford, VT 05001 802-295-5206 |
| St. Johnsbury | Vermont CARES | 1091 Hospital Drive St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 802-748-9061 |
| Rutland | West Ridge Center for Addiction Recovery | 1 Scale Ave., Building 10 Rutland, VT 05701 802-776-5800 |
| Wells River | Little Rivers Health Care | 65 Main St. Wells River, VT 05081 802-757-2325 |
| Springfield | Turning Point Recovery Center of Springfield | 7 Morgan Street Springfield, VT 05156 802-885-4668 |
| Burlington | UVM Student Health Services |
425 Pearl Street, Ground Floor 332 |
| Rutland | Rutland Free Clinic | 145 State Street Rutland, VT 05701 802-775-1360 |
| Windsor | Connecticut Valley Recovery Services |
15 State Street |
| Brattleboro | AIDS Project of Southern Vermont | 15 Grove Street Brattleboro, VT 05301 802-254-4444 |
| White River Junction | Bradford Psychiatric Association |
220 Holiday Drive, Suite A |
| Brattleboro | Turning Point of Windham County |
39 Elm Street |
| Burlington | Howard Center – Act1/Bridge Program | 802-488-6425 |
| St. Albans | BAART Behavioral Health Services | 10 Crest Road St. Albans, VT 05478 802-370-3545 |
| St. Johnsbury | BAART Behavioral Health Services | 1097 Hospital Drive St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 802-748-6166 |
| White River Junction | Good Neighbor Health Clinic | c/o Laura Byrne 70 North Main Street White River Junction, VT 05001 802-295-1868 |
| Burlington | UVM Center on Behavior and Health | Department of Psychiatry College of Medicine University of Vermont UHC-SATC, Room 1415 1 South Prospect Street Burlington, VT 05401 802-656-9987 |
| Brattleboro | Brattleboro Retreat | Anna Marsh Lane P.O. Box 803 Brattleboro, VT 05302 802-258-4388 |
| Montpelier | Treatment Associates, Inc. | 73 Main Street Suite 27 Montpelier, VT 05602 802-225-8355 |
| Swanton | Northern Tier Center for Health - Swanton Health Center | 26 Canada Street Swanton, VT 05488 802-868-2454 |
| Barre | Central Vermont Substance Abuse Services | 100 Hospitality Drive Barre, VT 05641 802-223-4156 |
| West Lebanon | Habit OPCO | 254 Plainfield Road West Lebanon, NH 03784 603-298-2146 |
| Randolph | Gifford Medical Center- Kingwood Health Center |
1422 VT Route 66 |
| Barre | People's Health & Wellness Clinic | 533 North Main Street #5 Barre, VT 05461 802-479-1229 |
| Morrisville | Treatment Associates, Inc. | 65 Portland St. Morrisville, VT 05661 802-851-8220 |
| Rutland | Bradford Psychiatric Association |
199 Stratton Road |
| Windsor |
289 County Road |
|
| Rutland | Vermont CARES |
1 Scale Ave, Howe Center |
| Barre | Vermont CARES | People's Health and Wellness Clinic 553 N Main Street #5 Barre, VT 05641 802-748-9061 |
| Montpelier | Vermont CARES | 29 Main Street #14 Montpelier, VT 05602 802-748-9061 |
Standing Order
A standing order from the Commissioner of Health has been in effect since August 2016. The standing order allows any pharmacy to sell naloxone to any person who wants to have it, without a prescription. The order allows insurers and Medicaid to cover the cost so people do not have to pay out of pocket. The current order is effective through August 2023.
Standing Order for Distribution of Naloxone
Vermont Law for Health Care Professionals (18 VSA § 4240 (c))
This law allows health care professionals acting in good faith to prescribe, dispense and distribute an opioid antagonist to a person who is at risk of overdose – or to a family member, friend or other person in a position to help – so long as the recipient of the opioid antagonist has completed a prevention and treatment training program approved by the Vermont Department of Health. Unless acting recklessly, with gross negligence or intentional misconduct, a health professional who prescribes, dispenses or distributes an opioid antagoinist under this section shall be immune from civil or criminal liability, regardless of whether the opioid antagonist was administered by or to the person for whom it was provided.
Good Samaritan State Law Protects Individuals
You must call 9-1-1 after giving naloxone/Narcan® if emergency services have not already been contacted. You are immune from civil or criminal liability for giving naloxone so long as you do not act recklessly, with gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
In 2019, 87 individuals administered naloxone in response to a perceived overdose; of those, 85 successful overdose reversals were reported. Learn more about this and other statistics in the latest data brief on naloxone distribution.
Email [email protected] for information on naloxone training or becoming a distribution site.
. In short, all Narcan stock should follow the expiration date printed on the individual blister pack.
Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal Project
Phone: 802-863-7223
[email protected]