Naloxone / Narcan Available at No-Cost

Naloxone is a drug used to reverse an opioid overdose, including overdoses due to fentanyl. It is available without a prescription. After a quick training, anyone can administer naloxone to another person who has overdosed on opioids. Naloxone is available for free in Nevada County. Nevada County Public Health and Behavioral Health departments offer free naloxone and fentanyl test strips to the community. 

Mountain Screen with trees and river, text: Know Overdose Nevada County

Please see the Know Overdose Nevada County Campaign for more information! 

Naloxone in Nevada County

  • Nevada County Public Health offers free, anonymous distribution of naloxone and fentanyl test strips. Everyone is welcome. Please call or text (530) 388-6364 at any time if you'd like more information or to make an appointment for pick up. 
  • You may also drop in to pick up free naloxone/fentanyl test strips at 500 Crown Point Circle. Suite 110 Grass Valley, CA on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the Month from Noon-3pm.  You don't need to leave your name, but please do leave your phone number so we can get back in touch.
  • If you know a group of people who would benefit from having naloxone but are unlikely to come to make an appointment (like a group of young people who know people who are at risk of overdose), call or text Public Health at (530) 388-6364. We will work with you to see if a training of how to use naloxone and then a naloxone give-away, where we meet and offer the teach everyone how to use naloxone at a neutral location, would be appropriate.
  • Nevada County Behavioral Health also offers free naloxone and fentanyl testing strips in Eastern and Western Nevada County. If you are a client of Behavioral Health, you can ask your therapist, counselor, nurse or doctor for naloxone and/or test strips. Or, any community member can call or text for free naloxone and/or fentanyl test strips:
    • Western County/Grass Valley: (530) 265-1437
    • Eastern County: (530) 277-8525
  • A number of organization are Naloxone distributors through the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and may also carry Naloxone kits and provide Naloxone training:
  • Many pharmacies carry naloxone. You do not need a prescription to purchase naloxone, although pharmacies can decide whether to sell it without a prescription. Contact your pharmacy to ask if they have it in stock and sell it without a prescription. It is covered by most insurances but at the time of this writing, it typically costs between $125 and $150 dollars to buy it without insurance. At this time, our understanding is that Walgreens and Rite Aid in Grass Valley sell it over-the-counter without a prescription. 

Organizations Becoming Narcan / Naloxone Distributors

Organizations can become distributors of naloxone by submitting an application to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). CDPH has a "standing order" that allows approved organizations to distribute naloxone without additional doctors' prescriptions, if they are able to meet certain minimum requirements. Once approved by CDPH, an organization is then eligible for a free naloxone supply from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Both processes are fairly simple. We encourage any organization that is interested in becoming a naloxone distributor to explore this option. 

Step 1: Organization applies for approval from CDPH to become a point of distribution under the state's standing order. Information on that application process here. 

Step 2: Once approved by CDPH, the organization applies to DHCS for a supply of naloxone to distribute. Here is a flyer from DHCS and you will find a link at the bottom of that flyer to apply to DHCS for your supply. 

Note: Staff of community organizations and other entities distributing naloxone under the statewide standing order are required to receive opioid overdose prevention and treatment training, and are also required to train individuals who receive naloxone from them. Minimum training requirements and an example of a training are included in the application information page. For additional training resources, please visit the California Department of Public Health’s Naloxone Grant Program. If your organization is interested in applying and has additional questions about training needs, Public Health can assist. Email us at publichealth@nevadacountyca.gov with your questions or needs.