NEWPORT, Ky. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved selling naloxone without a prescription, setting the overdose-reversing drug on course to become the first opioid treatment drug to be sold over the counter. 

Weinel is the peer-to-peer mentor at the PIER Recovery Community Center in Newport, Ky. It’s a center that helps guide those struggling with mental health and substance use disorders through the recovery process.

Weinel knows Narcan could save a life.

“Having been a mom who’s buried a child due to their substance use disorder, who would I be to not carry Narcan?”

Emergent BioSolutions reports Narcan nasal spray has had over 44 million doses given out since its launch in 2016. Weinel says the center could help so many northern Kentuckians in a short period with the nasal spray.

She said, “What can it hurt? In fact, it’s really helpful to be able to get Narcan into more hands.”

Weinel knows there can be a stigma around Narcan and those struggling with substance use. But the spray could maybe save a grandmother who forgot she already took medication, a parent or a child.

“We’re not God, but if we have a chance to give somebody a chance who am I to say no?”

She knows she and other advocates and experts won’t be able to convince everyone to carry Narcan, but she does know this over-the-counter product could do wonders.

Weinel added, “However they can get it, it’s not a bad thing, right? However, you can get a second chance at life, it’s not a bad thing.”

She’s hoping to see Narcan available in more spaces and places as time goes on, because for Weinel that serves a mission she’s on in helping save lives and helping people to thrive.

Emergent BioSolutions reports the over-the-counter availability is expected on shelves by late summer.