St. Louis makes naloxone overdose reversal drug available in Soulard

People experiencing an opioid overdose near the Soulard Market in St. Louis could receive quick, lifesaving help, now that free doses of the overdose reversal drug naloxone is available there.

The St. Louis Department of Health on Thursday alerted people to a naloxone box outside its building near the market, the first of many newsstand-style distribution boxes the department plans to install throughout the city.

The nasal spray, also known by the brand name Narcan, blocks the effects of opioids in the body of someone who is overdosing. The drug also can be injected.

St. Louis Public Library and city health officials are trying to keep people from overdosing by providing free sprays and educating people about the dangers of opioids.

“For some people in the community, seeing this purple box is kind of alarming,” said Dr. Julie Gary, chief of the Behavioral Health Bureau. “But for others, they see it as a lifesaving method.”