Addiction can happen to anyone, any family, at any time.
Essex County Health Department has initiated a local response to the abuse of Prescription (Rx) drugs and heroin in Essex County. We’ve gathered community partners and co-chair the Essex County Heroin and Other Prevention Coalition (known as ECHO).
Naloxone (Narcan) is an emergency medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
Local pharmacies can provide this medication to you through what is called a “standing order” – meaning you do not need an individual prescription for it. ALL Essex County pharmacies participate!
FAQ's on Narcan
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids—including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications—when given in time.
No, naloxone cannot be taken prior to using drugs to prevent an overdose.
- Call 911 immediately.*
- Administer naloxone, if available.
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
- Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
- Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.
No, Naloxone will not harm someone if you give it to them and they are not overdosing on an opioid.
Yes, naloxone is easy to use and medical training is not required. Check out CDC’s videos on how to use naloxone nasal spray and how to use injectable naloxone.
Naloxone should be stored at room temperature, in a secured location consistent with manufacturer guidelines.
Who’s at Risk?
People who have previously overdosed
People who have had a period of abstinence from taking opioids, such as heroin and/or prescription pain relief medications
People taking high doses of opioids
People taking other substances with opioids
People taking opioids for a long period of time
Did you Know?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 80% of overdose deaths occur inside a home!
If you know someone at risk for opioid overdose or someone who uses cocaine and/or methamphetamine, you should make sure that you have at least two doses of naloxone ready to use.
Our department is excited to share we are members of the Opioid Emergency Kit Cabinets initiative, herein after known as Narcan emergency boxes, for the North Country of New York State. Narcan emergency boxes are wall mounted kits that contain two doses of the opioid overdose reversing medicine Naloxone, instructions for how to administer it, and a barrier mask to facilitate rescue breathing in the event of a suspected overdose. Naloxone, or Narcan, is a nasal spray. Narcan emergency boxes are intended for emergency use only.
The goal of the Narcan emergency box initiative is to install and maintain a network of Narcan emergency boxes in publicly accessible spaces in participating businesses in the North Country region.
All County buildings have Narcan emergency kits installed one on the wall next to their AED’s. If more Narcan is needed, we call Alliance for Positive Health at 518-563-2437.
Harm Reduction Resources – Alliance for Positive Health
Link to ECHO and Local Community Resources
Check out OPIOIDS – THE TRUTH site – to learn more about the opioid epidemic – personal stories, the science of addiction, what’s going on nationally, being part of the solution and finding help if you need it.
Understand the Epidemic and Learn About Opioid Addiction – CDC’s Opioid Site
Participating Pharmacies in Essex County – ALL OF THEM!
| TOWN | PHARMACY NAME | PHONE |
| Elizabethtown | Kinney Drugs – Elizabethtown | 518-873-6441 |
| Keeseville | Keeseville Pharmacy | 518-834-6090 |
| Lake Placid | Hannaford Pharmacy – Lake Placid | 518-523-2011 |
| Lake Placid | Kinney Drugs – Lake Placid | 518-523-2011 |
| Lake Placid | Walgreens Pharmacy-Lake Placid | 518-523-5305 |
| Moriah | Moriah Pharmacy | 518-546-7244 |
| Ticonderoga | Walgreens Pharmacy-Ticonderoga | 518-585-6787 |
| Schroon Lake | Schroon Lake Pharmacy | 518-532-7575 |
| Ticonderoga | Walmart – Ticonderoga | 518-585-6486 |
| Willsboro | Willsboro Pharmacy | 518-963-8946 |
Franklin County/Saranac Lake:
Kinney Drugs 518-891-3132
Post Office Pharmacy 518-891-2233
Rite Aid Pharmacy 518-891-6033
There is Hope. For help:
Call 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369)
Text HOPENY (Short Code: 467369)
Go to CombatHeroin.ny.gov.
Visit www.oasas.ny.gov/accesshelp
Help us #CombatHeroin.