As the fight against opioid addiction continues in Ohio, data from Ohio’s Department of Health shows that the state has increased the amount of the overdose reversing drug naloxone handed out by 42% between 2022 and 2023, distributing nearly 300,000 thousand kits. 

State officials say that the increase in distribution has helped lead to an 11% jump in overdose reversals in the same time period, with News 5 reporting that last year Gov. Mike DeWine ordered naloxone to be stored at rest areas for free across the state.

Dennis Cauchon who oversees a statewide non-profit called Harm Reduction Ohio tells News5 that the falling price of naloxone has helped make it more available but that the next step is to target where the overdose reversing drug needs to be in a more precise manner.