Missoula Public Health, Missoula Fire Department Launch Naloxone Leave-Behind Program to Prevent Overdose Deaths

Missoula Public Health and the Missoula Fire Department are launching a Naloxone Leave-Behind Program to expand access to lifesaving overdose prevention resources and reduce the number of overdose deaths in Missoula County.

Through this partnership, Missoula Public Health's Missoula Drug Safety Coalition provided kits for all Missoula Fire Department engines, ambulances and ladder trucks. Each kit contains naloxone nasal spray, along with educational materials and information about local treatment, recovery and harm reduction resources. Additional kits will be available to replenish emergency vehicles and to provide them to residents when requested. Kits are given to individuals who have experienced an opioid overdose, in addition to family members, friends or bystanders who may witness a future overdose.

Naloxone is legal to carry and is a safe, easy-to-use medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and restore normal breathing while emergency medical care is on the way. It has no effect if opioids are not present in a person's system. Public health officials encourage anyone who may witness an opioid overdose, including friends, family members, caregivers and community members, to carry naloxone and learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose.

Research from the 2026 SAMHSA Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit shows that individuals who survive a nonfatal overdose are at significantly increased risk of experiencing a future fatal overdose. First responders are uniquely positioned to help interrupt this cycle by providing overdose prevention resources at the scene, when individuals and families may be most receptive to receiving them.

"Every overdose response is an opportunity to help prevent the next one," said Leah Fitch-Brody, Substance Use Disorder Prevention Coordinator at Missoula Public Health. "By making naloxone directly available to overdose survivors and the people around them, we're giving our community another tool to save lives while connecting individuals with additional resources and support."

This initiative reflects the ongoing collaboration between Missoula Public Health, the Missoula Drug Safety Coalition and the Missoula Fire Department to implement evidence-based strategies that improve long-term community health, coordinate community response and save lives.

Naloxone provided through this initiative is intended specifically for leave-behind distribution and is not intended to replace the naloxone carried by EMS personnel for emergency overdose response.

To learn how to use naloxone spray, visit https://www.youtube.com/shorts/odlFtGNjmMQ.

Click here for more information about overdose prevention training program at MPH.