Other Substances Prevention

The Substance Use Prevention program promotes community health and well-being by reducing the initiation, misuse, and harms associated with tobacco, alcohol, and other substances across all ages. Using evidence‑based strategies and a public health approach, the program focuses on preventing youth substance use, supporting healthy environments, and strengthening protective factors that reduce substance-related risks while also reducing risk factors in the community.

Narcan box

Narcan

About Narcan (Naloxone)

Narcan is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Narcan can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. However, Narcan has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system and has no significant health impacts. Narcan is not a treatment for opioid use disorder but it can save lives. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine.

The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) provides limited quantities of naloxone to local health departments and other eligible entities to reduce opioid-involved deaths. Please see the Naloxone Bulk Fund Prioritization Plan for full guidance.

How do I get Narcan at El Paso County Public Health?

El Paso County Public Health provides limited quantities of Narcan to the community in alignment with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s Naloxone Bulk Fund Prioritization Plan. Due to limited resources, free Narcan is currently available only to entities classified as “Category 1 Essential.” This prioritization ensures that individuals most likely to experience or witness an overdose have access to naloxone, helping reduce the number of fatal overdoses in Colorado.

For more information about the Naloxone Bulk Fund prioritization plan, potential partnerships, or educational opportunities, please contact the Substance use Prevention Team at heasubstanceprevention@elpasoco.com

Where can I learn more about how to use Narcan?

If you or someone you know is interested in learning how to properly administer Narcan, please see the resources below. Public health does not provide training, but anyone can access free training through the following resources:

Fentanyl Facts

Illegally Made Fentanyl

  • Illicit drugs do not come with an ingredient list. Many contain deadly doses of fentanyl and are widely available on the drug market in the form of liquid or powder. Powdered fentanyl is commonly mixed in with drugs such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and pills imitating other prescriptions.

Counterfeit Pills

  • Fentanyl in the form of counterfeit pills is made to look the same as prescription opioids such alprazolam (Xanax), oxycodone, hydrocodone, Adderall, and other medications.

Secondhand Smoke

  • There is no overdose risk from fentanyl secondhand smoke. When fentanyl is smoked, most of the drug is filtered out by the user and the risk of exposure from secondhand smoke is very low.

Touching Fentanyl

  • You cannot overdose on fentanyl just by touching it. Illegal fentanyl is sold as a powder, liquid, in eyedroppers or nasal sprays, or made into pills. To cause harm, fentanyl must enter your body by ingesting it or through the eyes or nose. Fentanyl cannot enter the body through the skin.

Naloxone

  • Naloxone (Narcan) is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Some opioids are stronger and might require multiple doses of naloxone. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine.

Cannabis

  • There are no known cannabis products containing fentanyl. Commercial vaping products cannot reach temperatures hot enough to vape fentanyl.

Xylazine

  • Xylazine, also known as “Tranq”, is a potent animal tranquilizer. The drug is used illegally to mix with fentanyl, other opioids, or heroin. Xylazine’s sedating effect lasts longer than other illegal drugs. If someone overdoses while taking xylazine, treatment with naloxone does not reverse the effects.

Legal Medical Uses

  • Prescription fentanyl is approved for use in the medical setting to treat pain. Fentanyl can be safe when used as prescribed and can come in the form of lozenges, patches and nasal sprays.