Third round of AZ naloxone distributions announced

(The Center Square) – Arizona's attorney general has ordered thousands more kits of an anti-overdose medication as the state still grapples with an influx of opioids.

Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the latest allocations of naloxone allocations, a medication that reverses an opioid overdose, as a part of the settlement with the pharmaceutical company Teva Manufacturing. This initiative comes from years-long litigation about U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturer and distribution companies’ contributions to the opioid epidemic.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, more than five people die of an opioid overdose every day in Arizona and another 11 people suffer a non-fatal opioid overdose a day. Additionally, almost 22,000 emergency visits involved suspected drug overdoses and there have been increasing numbers of newborns born suffering the effects of opioid withdrawal because of exposure in utero.

Following the litigation, Arizona received $1.12 billion to use towards addressing the opioid crisis in the state. As part of the Teva Settlement agreement, Arizona opted to receive 27,700 units of naloxone per year for up to ten years in lieu of a monetary settlement.

The distributions of the allocations began on May 23, 2024. They will be distributed every quarter to facilities in order of what area is in the most need. At this time, Arizona has received a total of 16,500 units.

This allocation being announced will total 7,000 units and will be distributed to the following organizations:

AZ HIDTA ℅ Arizona Poison Control Center - 2,500 units

Sonoran Prevention Works - 800 units

Apache County Health Services Department - 2,500 units

Coconino County Health Department - 2,500 units

Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition - 700 units

According to a press release, these deliveries are expected to arrive between late September and November.

"Every unit of naloxone we distribute can potentially save a life, which underscores the importance of these efforts across our state," Mayes said. "I am committed to ensuring that all Arizona communities have the resources they need to prevent opioid-related overdose deaths."

At this time, one death has been prevented, but according to the Attorney General’s Office, “many more may have been affected by having access to this life-saving drug and the widespread effect of having naloxone in the hands of so many who may need it is immeasurable.”

Other organizations that have received naloxone this year are:

Gila County Health Department - 700 units

Mohave County Health Department - 1,200 units

Navajo County Health Department - 1,200 units

Pima County Health Department - 1,200 units

Yuma County Health Department - 900 units

Maricopa County Department of Public Health - 1,600 units

Cochise County Health & Social Services - 1,200 units

Pinal County Public Health Services District - 1,200 units

Yavapai County Community Health Services - 1,000 units

AZ HIDTA ℅ AZ Poison Control Center - 2,000 units