MCHD urges residents to ‘Carry Narcan. It can save a life.’ 3-2-26

March 2, 2026

MCHD urges residents to ‘Carry Narcan. It can save a life.’

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) is reminding residents that naloxone (Narcan) — the medication that can reverse an opioid overdose — is available through free mail order programs, community partners, and local pharmacies without an individual prescription. Officials urge anyone who uses opioids, as well as their family members, friends, and neighbors, to keep Narcan on hand and learn how to use it.

“Narcan is simple, safe, and it saves lives,” said Dr. Kevin Michaels, Mobile County’s Health Officer who is serving on the Alabama Rescue Committee. “If you can call 9-1-1 and follow a few basic steps, you can give someone a second chance at life.”

Alabama’s naloxone programs make Narcan available at no cost to people who live anywhere in the state, including Mobile County. Residents can complete a brief online naloxone training and have a Narcan nasal spray kit mailed directly to their home. These programs are designed so that cost and distance are not barriers. To learn more, visit https://nextdistro.org/alnarcan.

Narcan 4 mg nasal spray is also available over the counter, and Alabama has a standing order that allows people to obtain naloxone from most major pharmacies without a personal prescription. In Mobile County and nearby communities, residents can ask their pharmacist for Narcan or generic naloxone under the standing order or purchase over the counter Narcan nasal spray.

Narcan quickly reverses an opioid overdose by knocking opioids off their receptors in the brain and restoring normal breathing. It works on overdoses involving heroin, fentanyl, and many prescription pain medicines and will not harm someone if opioids are not the cause of their symptoms, making it safe to use when you are unsure.

“If a person is not breathing normally, is difficult to wake up, or has blue or gray lips and fingertips, call 9-1-1 right away and use Narcan if you have it,” Dr. Michaels said. “Your quick action, even before EMS arrives, can be the difference between life and death.”

The Alabama Rescue Committee encourages people who use opioids, their family and friends, those in public facing roles, and community leaders and volunteers to strongly consider carrying Narcan. State data show that increased naloxone access has helped reduce overdose deaths in Alabama, and local officials want to keep that progress moving forward. “Every Narcan kit in our community represents a life that can be saved,” Dr. Michaels said.

MCHD also offers harm-reduction kiosks that provide free naloxone kits and condoms throughout the community. They can be found at B-Bob’s Bar (213 Conti Street in Mobile), Vista Medical (1359 Spring Hill Avenue in Mobile), Shell Health (4321 Downtowner Loop North in Mobile), Semmes Pharmacy (8985 Moffett Road in Semmes) and at MCHD’s Women, Infants & Children (WIC) office at 19255 North Main Street in Citronelle.

CredibleMind is a free digital platform that connects users with mental health and self-care resources to help you manage the ups and downs of life. Whether you’re looking for articles to read, assessments to take, videos to watch, or podcasts to listen to, CredibleMind has the tools to assist you with understanding yourself better and learning how to navigate life’s challenges.

You may visit https://alabama.crediblemind.com/topics/opioid-use for more information about opioid use and other local behavioral health resources.