Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The Biden administration on Friday urged local housing providers and community development groups across the country to help the federal government expand access to naloxone and other opioid overdose drugs.
Such overdose reversal medications, which can be effective against fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, are already available in schools, libraries and other community institutions, and they should similarly be kept on hand in public housing settings, according to the administration.
Especially with the naloxone drug Narcan becoming available for over-the-counter purchase for the first time ever earlier this fall, the White House says it is determined to persuade local public housing agencies and groups that deal with homelessness to keep supplies of the drug on hand.
"Many overdoses happen in the home, and providing access to an effective and easy-to-use medication that can reverse an overdose is just common sense," Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary for Housing Julia Gordon said in a statement. "We urge our assisted housing property owners and managers to make this life-saving medication readily available to their residents and guests."
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