Scottsdale siblings launch nonprofit to save lives in schools

Flynn McCracken delivering Narcan supply to Austin Pidgeon, dean of support services at Brophy College Prep.

Photo courtesy of Flynn and Lily McCracken

By Cyrus Guccione
Mail

When Flynn and Lily McCracken’s dad worked as an emergency room doctor, he would often administer what is widely known as the “coma cocktail,” a combination of medications given in an emergency setting to patients presenting with an altered mental status or coma when the cause is unknown.

Along with other medications, the coma cocktail typically includes Naloxone, widely known by its brand name Narcan, to reverse a potential opioid overdose.

One quick nasal spray can jolt a patient back to consciousness within minutes if opioids are the cause—often saving their life before the full extent of the overdose takes hold.

While the FDA has approved the sale of over-the-counter, non-prescription Narcan, the price can be prohibitive for many, costing $45 for a pack of two treatments at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens.

And while some clinics, libraries and other organizations offer free Narcan kits, Flynn and Lily launched Narcan 4 Life, a 501(c)(3) organization partnering with Naloxone suppliers to provide life-saving medication to local high schools at no cost, aiming to prevent overdose deaths on school campuses.

Soaring Fentanyl seizures

In 2024, the Drug Enforcement Agency seized more than 60 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. This year, fentanyl seizures represent over 154 million deadly doses.

“The overdose rate in Arizona is incredibly high and I’ve always wanted to do something to help fight the drug epidemic,” Flynn said, a 17-year-old rising senior at Brophy College Preparatory who recently delivered 200 Narcan nasal sprays to the dean of support services at his school.

Lily, 16, is a rising junior at Notre Dame Preparatory High School who says getting Narcan into schools means giving friends and family members “another chance” if something goes wrong.

Still, working in the drug prevention world means confronting significant challenges, especially the stigma tied to addiction and overdose.

Combating stigma

Some critics argue that easy access to Narcan may encourage riskier opioid use among students. Others believe public health efforts should go toward prevention or rehabilitation rather than rescue efforts.

But studies show no link between increased access to opioid antagonists and a rise in opioid usage.

Among them is a 2014 study published in BMC Public Health which found no significant increase in heroin use among nearly 5,000 substance-using participants in an overdose education and Naloxone distribution program.

A 2023 research paper in the International Journal of Drug Policy found no evidence that expanding naloxone access leads to increased heroin or injection drug use among 920,333 adolescents across 44 U.S. states.

More recently, a 2024 study in JAMA Network Open showed that increased access to Naloxone, combined with efforts to increase the number of witnessed overdoses (ie: high school campuses), can significantly reduce opioid-related deaths.

Support from HonorHealth

Dr. Craig Norquist, chief medical information officer and program director for the Clinical Informatics Fellowship at HonorHealth says it’s important to empower educators, staff and students to act in an emergency.

“At HonorHealth, we are committed to patient care in any way possible – as we like to say: All of us for all of you. That’s why we distribute Narcan to anyone who might be in a situation where they could save a life,” Norquist said. “Through a collaboration with the state of Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and Department of Health Services, with additional funding from Talking Stick Resort and the Corrigan Foundation, we have been distributing Narcan to patients, their families, and our own staff members.

“This life-saving medication is available at Brophy and other Catholic schools in Phoenix, empowering educators, staff and students with the ability to act in an emergency.”

Like seatbelts or fire extinguishers, Flynn says Narcan is simply a safeguard—part of a harm reduction strategy, not a solution.

Despite the stigma, Flynn and Lily make one thing clear; Narcan doesn’t fix addiction, but it keeps people alive long enough for that to be possible.

“Narcan 4 Life prefers that people are prepared for an overdose rather than thinking it’s going to cause a stigma around it,” says Flynn.

Expanding access beyond schools

In the future, Flynn and Lily hope to take Narcan beyond schools and into the sky, where the nasal spray is not currently required onboard airplanes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Trying to get Narcan into airplanes is our aspiring goal,” Flynn said. “For now, getting it into high schools in the Arizona community will help get rid of this epidemic.”

For more information about Narcan 4 Life, visit narcan4life.com or send an email to narcan4life@gmail.com.

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