Police and public health leaders in Alabama are trying to deal with a spike in heroin use in recent years. Naloxone — or narcan — is a drug that, when administered correctly, can reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. A bill passed the Alabama Legislature this week that would allow first responders to give narcan to someone dying from an overdose. But some don’t think the bill goes far enough. UAB researchers are working on a crowd-funded study that puts narcan directly in the hands of users’ and family and friends. The study met its fundraising goal this week. UAB psychologist Karen Cropsey, who heads the program, spoke to Les Lovoy and explained how narcan works.
