Overdose Prevention
Definition
Strategies to prevent deaths from drug overdoses, particularly opioid overdoses. Prevention includes naloxone (Narcan) distribution to reverse overdoses, education recognizing overdose signs, Good Samaritan laws protecting people who call 911 during overdoses from prosecution, safe consumption sites where medical staff can intervene, and expanded treatment access. Overdose prevention prioritizes keeping people alive until they’re ready for recovery.
Louisville Context
501 Jefferson County residents died from a drug overdose in 2023, and 237 in 2025 (Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, 2024 and 2025 Drug Overdose Fatality Reports). A person who uses alone has no one nearby to call 911 or give naloxone. Kentucky has a Good Samaritan law (KRS 218A.133) that protects people from drug-possession charges when they get help for an overdose. Louisville distributes naloxone through health department and some pharmacies, but access remains limited in highest-need neighborhoods.
Why It Matters
Overdose deaths are largely preventable with evidence-based interventions. Each death represents a person who could have recovered with proper support. The opioid crisis particularly affects working-class communities that often lack access to treatment and harm reduction services. Overdose prevention requires treating addiction as a health issue, not a moral failing.
My Proposal
I will make naloxone freely available at all Community Wellness Centers, libraries, Metro Parks facilities, and through community distribution. I’ll ensure all LMPD officers and firefighters carry naloxone and receive training in overdose response that prioritizes health over arrest. I’ll advocate for safe consumption sites in areas with highest overdose rates, funded within $1.13 billion budget.