CVS to sell anti-overdose drug at pharmacies

NAPLES, Fla.- CVS wants to help fight the growing heroin epidemic by making an anti-overdose drug readily available at your local pharmacy.

Narcan will be available in July at CVS pharmacies across the state without a doctor’s prescription.

“Whatever we need to do to prevent people from ODing,” said Heather Sybert, a licensed clinical social worker who says she’s lost clients to heroin and opioid overdoses. “People that have addictions, have addictions because of the emotional and mental problems they have and the stress they are dealing with, not because they just think it’s a fun way to carry on their life.”

According to the U.S. government, drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the country. In 2014, more than 28,000 people overdosed on heroin and opioids. The epidemic is moving into Southwest Forida where in the past year, heroin-related calls into emergency services increased by 200 percent.

“We’re seeing overdoses in public bathrooms of well-known retail places and restaurants in Collier County,” said Jorge Aguilera, assistant chief of EMS for North Collier Fire Rescue District.

Aguilera says whether it’s the shot or the nasal spray, Narcan is safe and it works.

But Aguilera is afraid having an antidote readily available could enable users, “I think Narcan will save lives, but I don’t think Narcan is going to solve the problem.”