ACME Markets, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan, and Delaware County Councilman Dave White have announced the availability of Narcan (naloxone) Nasal Spray in all ACME pharmacies across the county.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), naloxone has saved 26,463 lives nationwide over the past 20 years. Since November 2014, when police officers in Delaware County were authorized to administer naloxone to overdose victims, 244 lives have been saved.

“In Delaware County, heroin and opioid abuse is a serious health and public safety threat that is endangering lives and tearing families apart,” said Whelan. “We believe making Narcan Nasal Spray available to first responders and police, as well as families, will continue to save lives and provide a chance for those suffering from addiction to get help.”

Now each ACME Pharmacy in Delaware County, a total of 10 locations, will carry a carton of Narcan Nasal Spray on site.

“The opioid and heroin epidemic cannot be ignored,” said Danielle D’Elia, communications manager for ACME. “By stocking Narcan Nasal Spray in our pharmacies, we hope to give our communities – the family, friends, loved ones, and caregivers of those struggling with addiction – a tool that might help prevent the avoidable loss of a loved one.”

The CDC now estimates that 89 people die every day from an opioid-related overdose in the U.S., and Pennsylvania is among the highest incidence areas for opioid-related abuse and overdose.

“We want to empower our residents with lifesaving tools to help fight the battle that is going on across the country and in our own backyards,” said White. “Our partnership with ACME is part of our larger efforts to help our community protect itself from losing another life.”