Narcan Can Save A Life — Here’s Where To Find It In Rockford

If you've been on social media or following local news lately, you've probably seen a lot of people talking about Narcan, especially after the reports that Narcan was at the scene where Hayden Pariette was found unconscious.

And I think this is one of those moments where it's worth taking a second to talk about what Narcan actually is.

What is Narcan and what does it do?

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Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.  It can restore breathing when someone is experiencing an overdose from opioids like fentanyl, heroin or certain prescription pain meds.

And here's the part I really wanted to share: you can get Narcan for FREE right here in Rockford.

There are currently two free Narcan vending machines in Rockford.

One is located at the Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center, 650 W. State Street, and the other is at the Rockford Crime Stoppers building, 420 W. State Street.

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So, if you've never thought about having Narcan around before, this is your reminder that it's something you can keep in your car, at home, or somewhere accessible in case you ever encounter someone experiencing an overdose.

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And no, having Narcan doesn't mean you're assuming someone is using drugs.  Think about it like having a first-aid kit or fire extinguisher.  You hope you never need to use it, but if something happens, you're going to be really glad it's there.