“Do you need any Narcan?” Annastasia Rose Beal’s vibrant voice filled the air as she gracefully dismounted her electric skateboard on a dreary Wednesday afternoon. Approaching three men seated on the bustling Santa Ana sidewalk, she exuded a charming blend of confidence and compassion. Surrounding her were towering palm trees, motels, and other businesses, creating an urban tapestry.
Beal, clad in a trendy crop top, sneakers, and jean shorts, didn’t inquire about the substances the men had consumed or their living situations. Instead, she engaged them in light conversation and genuinely asked how she could assist them. Gradually, the trio expanded to five, and even a woman across the street couldn’t help but be captivated by Beal’s altruism. With a friendly wave, Beal beckoned her over and inquired, “What can I get you, my dear?” The woman, roughly the same age as Beal, gratefully accepted a small box that contained Narcan.
Beal’s personal connection with opioid addiction fueled her dedication to helping others. As a teenager in Irvine, she traversed a perilous path through opiate addiction, losing many friends along the way. However, today was different. The life-saving drug, known as Narcan, had become widely accessible. Despite not being a cure-all solution, Narcan’s miraculous ability to counteract opioid overdoses made it a vital weapon against the nationwide epidemic, particularly as synthetic opioids like fentanyl wreaked havoc with their lethal potency at minuscule doses.
Law enforcement agencies, such as the San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles County sheriff’s departments, now equip their personnel with naloxone. In fact, Orange County sheriff’s personnel administered 219 doses of naloxone to 117 individuals in 2021, according to Carrie Braun, a spokesperson for the agency. Some doses were administered within jails, while others were provided on the streets. Additionally, the Los Angeles Unified School District approved naloxone for all K-12 schools, and the Orange County Board of Supervisors granted six $20,000 grants to school districts for the purchase of the drug. Furthermore, community colleges and Cal State campuses are now required to keep naloxone on hand, following a new law enacted in January 2022. State lawmakers are even pushing for legislation that would mandate libraries, bars, and gas stations to stock naloxone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently granted approval for over-the-counter sales of Narcan, facilitating easier access for individuals aged 18 and above. Pharmacists can currently provide the drug without a prescription after completing opioid-education requirements.
Beal extends her reach through her organization, the Irvine-based Harm Reduction Circle, which she co-founded in 2021 alongside Emma Webb, Dylan Waller, and Hannah Halbers. To distribute Narcan, Beal had to obtain state approval, and she meticulously records her group’s distribution, ensuring compliance with the California Department of Health Care Services’ Naloxone Distribution Project. Her wagon, hauled behind her electric skateboard, serves as a mobile pharmacy, stacked with boxes of Narcan, water bottles, condoms, hygiene wipes, and electrolyte drink mix packs. Beal also dedicates her time to training individuals on how to administer the easy-to-use nasal spray, a skill even her 8-year-old daughter, Samantha, has mastered.
Since 2023 began, the Harm Reduction Circle has distributed over 11,000 doses of Narcan, effectively reversing 170 overdoses in 2022 alone. Beal firmly believes that everyone should carry Narcan, prioritizing saving lives over moralizing about drug use.
However, the cost of naloxone poses a significant barrier to its widespread adoption. A standard two-dose pack of Narcan spray averages around $140, while the injection costs $40 to $60. In response, California is exploring partnerships with manufacturers to produce affordable naloxone options. Andrew DiLuccia, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health Care Access and Information, emphasizes the need to support the development, manufacturing, or procurement of cost-effective naloxone options, highlighting the market’s lack of accessibility and uncertain self-correction.
Major retailers like CVS and Walgreens stock naloxone, along with numerous pharmacies nationwide. Nevertheless, months after the FDA’s announcement, tangible availability of over-the-counter naloxone remains unclear. Retailers and pharmacists eagerly anticipate the green light from manufacturers, which will dictate when naloxone can be obtained as easily as household staples like Pepto Bismol or Advil.
Emergent BioSolutions, the manufacturer of Narcan, plans to launch their over-the-counter product later this summer. However, specifics regarding the launch remain scarce. Local pharmacist Andre Hanna, eager to meet the demand, checks regularly for updates and availability. For now, Hanna keeps naloxone behind the counter, ensuring anyone 18 years or older without a prescription can access it. Physicians also prescribe naloxone alongside opioids as an added safety measure. Hanna envisions a future where naloxone sits openly on shelves, easily accessible to the public. Attending a funeral for someone who succumbed to an opioid overdose only intensified his commitment to advocating for change.
Ryan Marble, a 38-year-old security guard residing in Santa Ana, witnesses drug use regularly due to his work at a local motel on First Street. He has administered naloxone at least three times during his shifts. When Beal approached him on that fateful Wednesday, Marble gratefully accepted the Narcan, acknowledging its limitations but calling for stronger government intervention to address the underlying issues.
Matt Capelouoto’s heartbreaking loss highlights the urgent necessity for naloxone accessibility. His 20-year-old daughter, Alexandra, tragically fell victim to a fentanyl-laced pill in 2019. As an aspiring social worker and Arizona State student, Alexandra unknowingly ingested a counterfeit pill, leading to her untimely demise. Capelouoto emphasizes that naloxone is crucial, but acknowledges the need for comprehensive action to combat the epidemic. He recalls that most parents he encounters share a similar harrowing experience, with their children succumbing to overdoses in solitude.
In this sea of approaches to tackling the opioid epidemic, Beal’s unwavering focus remains on saving lives rather than moral judgments. Her commitment to distributing Narcan and empowering others through Harm Reduction Circle showcases her dedication to making a difference. She envisions a world where every individual carries Narcan, ensuring a safety net against the lethal consequences of opioid overdoses.
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