Naloxone 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.

Get Naloxone

The Health Department provides naloxone (Narcan® nasal spray) 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

Get help now

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.

Recognize the signs of an opioid overdose

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

 

 

Take action to save a life

If you think someone may be experiencing an opioid overdose, follow these steps: 

  1. Check for signs of an opioid overdose.

  2. Call 9-1-1.

  3. Give naloxone.

  4. 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.

 

Find naloxone in Vermont

Get Narcan® mailed to you for free.

Get naloxone as well as prevention and overdose response training designed and approved by the Health Department at these distribution sites.

TOWNORGANIZATIONCONTACT INFORMATION
NewportNorth Country Hospital189 Prouty Drive
Newport, VT 05855
802-334-3210, Ext. 618
BerlinCentral Vermont Addiction Medicine300 Granger Road
Berlin, VT 05602
802-223-2003
BrattleboroGroundworks Collaborative60 Main Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-257-5415
Bellows FallsParks Place44 School Street Ext.
Bellows Falls, VT 05101
South BurlingtonHoward Center – Chittenden Clinic75 San Remo Drive
So. Burlington, VT 05403
802-488-6450
NewportBAART Behavioral Health Services475 Union Street
Newport, VT 05855
802-334-0110
BrattleboroHabit Opco – Brattleboro16 Town Crier Drive
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-258-4623
St. AlbansHoward Center – St. Albans172 Fairfield Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
802-524-7265
BurlingtonHoward Center – Safe Recovery Program45 Clark Street
Burlington, VT 05401
802-488-6067
White River JunctionHIV/HCV Resource Center – Syringe Exchange Program70 North Main Street
White River Jct., VT 05001
802-295-1868 (M&Th 2:30-4:30 pm)
603-448-8887
NewportTurning Point of Newport – Journey to Recovery Center58 Third Street
Newport, VT 05855
802-624-4156
St. JohnsburyKingdom Recovery Center297 Summer Street
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-751-8520
MorrisvilleNorth Central Vermont Recovery Center275 Brooklyn Street, Suite 2
Morrisville, VT 05661
802-851-8120
MiddleburyTurning Point of Addison County54 A1 Creek Road
Middlebury, VT 05753
802-388-4249
BenningtonTurning Point Center, Bennington160 Benmont Avenue, 4th floor
Bennington, VT 05201
802-442-9700
BarreTurning Point of Central Vermont489 North Main Street
Barre, VT 05641
802-479-7373
BurlingtonTurning Point of Chittenden County191 Bank Street, Suite 200
Burlington, VT 05401
802-861-3150
St. AlbansTurning Point of Franklin County182 Lake Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
802-782-8454
RutlandTurning Point Center of Rutland141 State Street
Rutland, VT 05701
802-773-6010
HartfordUpper Valley Turning Point200 Olcott Drive
Hartford, VT 05001
802-295-5206
St. JohnsburyVermont CARES1091 Hospital Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-9061
RutlandWest Ridge Center for Addiction Recovery1 Scale Ave., Building 10
Rutland, VT 05701
802-776-5800
Wells RiverLittle Rivers Health Care65 Main St.
Wells River, VT 05081
802-757-2325
SpringfieldTurning Point Recovery Center of Springfield7 Morgan Street
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-4668 
BurlingtonUVM Student Health Services425 Pearl Street, Ground Floor 332
Burlington, VT 05401
802-656-3350
RutlandRutland Free Clinic145 State Street
Rutland, VT 05701
802-775-1360
WindsorConnecticut Valley Recovery Services15 State Street
Windsor, VT  05089
802-674-9400
BrattleboroAIDS Project of Southern Vermont15 Grove Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-254-4444
White River JunctionBradford Psychiatric Association220 Holiday Drive, Suite A
White River Junction, VT 05001
802-281-6364
BrattleboroTurning Point of Windham County39 Elm Street
Brattleboro, VT  05301
802-257-5600
BurlingtonHoward Center – Act1/Bridge Program802-488-6425
St. AlbansBAART Behavioral Health Services10 Crest Road
St. Albans, VT  05478
802-370-3545
St. JohnsburyBAART Behavioral Health Services1097 Hospital Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-6166
White River JunctionGood Neighbor Health Clinicc/o Laura Byrne
70 North Main Street
White River Junction, VT 05001
802-295-1868
BurlingtonUVM Center on Behavior and HealthDepartment of Psychiatry
College of Medicine
University of Vermont
UHC-SATC, Room 1415
1 South Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05401
802-656-9987
BrattleboroBrattleboro RetreatAnna Marsh Lane
P.O. Box 803
Brattleboro, VT 05302
802-258-4388
MontpelierTreatment Associates, Inc.73 Main Street
Suite 27
Montpelier, VT 05602
802-225-8355
SwantonNorthern Tier Center for Health - Swanton Health Center26 Canada Street
Swanton, VT 05488
802-868-2454
BarreCentral Vermont Substance Abuse Services100 Hospitality Drive
Barre, VT 05641
802-223-4156
West LebanonHabit OPCO254 Plainfield Road
West Lebanon, NH 03784
603-298-2146
RandolphGifford Medical Center- Kingwood Health Center1422 VT Route 66
Randolph, VT 05060
802-728-7709
BarrePeople's Health & Wellness Clinic533 North Main Street #5
Barre, VT 05461
802-479-1229
MorrisvilleTreatment Associates, Inc.65 Portland St.
Morrisville, VT 05661
802-851-8220
RutlandBradford Psychiatric Association199 Stratton Road
Rutland, VT 05701
802-775-7798
WindsorMt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center289 County Road
Windsor, VT 05989
802-674-7224
RutlandVermont CARES1 Scale Ave, Howe Center
Bldg #18, Room #103
Rutland, VT 05701
802-748-9061
BarreVermont CARESPeople's Health and Wellness Clinic
553 N Main Street #5
Barre, VT 05641
802-748-9061
MontpelierVermont CARES29 Main Street #14
Montpelier, VT 05602
802-748-9061
BristolMountain Community Health61 Pine St., Building 4
Bristol, VT 05443
802-453-3911
Standing order & Vermont law

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 2025.

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.

About Vermont's Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal Project  

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 naloxone@vermont.gov for information on naloxone training or becoming a distribution site.

 

Shelf-life extension of Narcan from 36 months to 48 months

Please see the most recent information from the manufacturer in their recent media statement. In short, all Narcan stock should follow the expiration date printed on the individual blister pack.

Naloxone/Narcan® in K-12 Schools

If your school has received Narcan, here’s what you need to know.

The Vermont Department of Health and Agency of Education launched an initiative to support K-12 schools in being prepared to respond to a suspected overdose in Vermont schools.

While there have been no reported fatal opiate overdoses in Vermont K-12 schools, this initiative gives schools important tools (including Narcan® nasal spray) to respond to a suspected overdose on campus, should one occur. Narcan® can be a life-saving emergency medication in the event of a suspected overdose, and will not cause harm to others.

If you’re interested in learning about how to add Narcan® to your personal first aid kit, review the information at the top of the page.

For questions, email naloxone@vermont.gov

Additional School Resources

Naloxone & Opioid Overdose Prevention in K-12 School Presentation: This 2024 presentation is designed for school nurses or other school officials leading the development of the opioid overdose response and naloxone administration in the school setting.

Example protocol: Currently in development

Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools technical Assistance Center Fentanyl and Opioids: Preventing Overdoses and Related Emergencies at K-12 and Higher Education Campuses Fact Sheet

Naloxone in Schools Toolkit, National Association of School Nurses Resources: This recent toolkit aims to help school nurses, administrators, and teams with planning and preparing for the opioid epidemic in their school community. Note: You must create an account to access the toolkit and other resources.

Email naloxone@vermont.gov for information on ordering printed materials.

Contact Us
Naloxone Program

Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal Project
Phone: 802-863-7223
Email: naloxone@vermont.gov