Massachusetts handing out overdose kits

BOSTON — Massachusetts officials next month will begin distributing kits to heroin addicts that include medication to treat overdoses.

Advocates say the kits will help treat overdoses quickly, safely and without fear of addiction, and will be beneficial in a state where more people die from heroin than firearms.

Each kit contains two doses of a medication called Narcan, which one addict can squirt up the nose of another addict who has overdosed. The drug, known generically as Naloxone, causes no long-term side effects, specialists said. A single dose costs about $20.

The program, inspired by similar distributions in Boston, Chicago and New York City, lacks the support of the White House drug control policy council and some substance abuse advocates, including former heroin users.

“It’s a remarkably safe drug,” said Dr. Peter Moyer, medical director for Boston’s fire, police and emergency medical services. “I’ve used gallons of it in my life to treat patients.”