Washington health officials have launched an updated interactive map to help residents locate free naloxone distribution points across the state, as overdose deaths continue to claim more than 3,000 lives annually.
The Naloxone Finder provides a statewide directory of locations where anyone can obtain the life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, can prevent fatal overdoses from drugs including fentanyl and heroin.
The Department of Health released the enhanced version on July 31 after taking over management from the University of Washington’s Addiction, Drug & Alcohol Institute, which originally developed the tool. The updated map includes new filtering capabilities and additional distribution sites.
“You can zoom into wherever you are and choose where you’d like to pick up naloxone,” said State Health Officer Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett. Users can filter results by programme type, including searching specifically for naloxone vending machines using dropdown menu options.
The majority of Washington’s estimated 3,000 annual overdose deaths involve opioids, making naloxone access a critical public health priority. The state regularly updates the map with new distribution locations, and organisations can apply through the Department of Health website to be listed.
Kwan-Gett emphasised that the resource targets anyone who might encounter an overdose situation, not just people who use drugs. “That includes people who use substances, anyone who has a friend or family member who uses substances, anyone who works or volunteers in a place that brings them into contact with people using substances,” he explained.
The tool aims to expand naloxone accessibility beyond traditional healthcare settings by mapping community distribution points including vending machines, community centres, and outreach programmes. Carrying naloxone requires no medical training, and the medication poses no risk to people who are not experiencing an overdose.
For residents with financial means, the state encourages purchasing naloxone from pharmacies to preserve free supplies for those who cannot afford it. The medication is available over-the-counter and covered by most health insurance plans, including Washington’s Medicaid provider Apple Health.
The interactive map represents part of broader state efforts to address the ongoing overdose crisis through harm reduction strategies and improved access to life-saving interventions.
