The life-saving overdose-reversal drug Naloxone, also known as Narcan, will soon be available for free at city of Phoenix libraries, the city announced in a news release Thursday.

To ensure residents have access to this life-saving tool, free Naloxone kits will be available at all 17 Phoenix Public Libraries as well as through other city services. The kits feature two doses of Narcan nasal spray, a pair of gloves and an informational pamphlet featuring overdose symptoms and instructions. Narcan helps reverse overdoses from opioids and fentanyl.

Over the past decade, opioid overdoses have been on the rise. In 2022, 991 people died of an overdose in Phoenix, accounting for more than half of all overdose deaths in Maricopa County.

City officials will hold a news conference at 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14 to discuss the rollout and other city efforts to address the opioid crisis.

Editor's note: The above was republished from a city of Phoenix news release.