One man mission to save lives by giving away free narcan in Galveston County.

Although Narcan does not work against a dangerous new street drug, it will save those who have overdosed on other opioids, including fentanyl.

GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas. As the opioid crisis continues across the country, two new locations have emerged in Galveston County providing the lifesaving drug Narcan for free.

Life-saving measures are expanding as experts in Greater Houston prepare for a dangerous new mix of street drugs to take over supplies called the “zombie drug”.

Narcan was an incredible weapon against overdose deaths. It counteracts the effects of opioids on the brain. Ambulances, fire departments, and emergency rooms are among those trying to conserve supplies, especially with the advent of fentanyl.

The mission of one man from Galveston was to make Narcan accessible to everyone.

Les McColgin and his nonprofit Gulf Coast Outreach Services installed their third narcan dispenser in Galveston County this week. They are available at One Stop Hardware on Wallace Avenue in Hitchcock, the Hart Pharmacy on State Highway 3 in La Marche, and the Sullivan Pharmacy on Grand Avenue in Buckliff.

Narcan saves lives in overdose. At the pharmacy, it costs about $150 a box. Narcan in McColgin’s cars is free.

“What we’re trying to do is highlight the stigma for using Narcan,” McColgin said. “Because the people who need it are usually family members (of drug users).”

McColgin, who has been addicted to opioids for 45 years, is now recovering. An increase in overdose deaths, mostly caused by fentanyl, spurred him into action.

“I’m tired of waiting for people to do something,” he said. “So I went out in faith and started my own 501(c)(3) five months ago.”

Since then, he has paid for giant billboards informing the public about fentanyl and overdoses, and has provided resources to help them. He also bought narcan storage machines, received grants, and placed the machines in areas that data shows are overdose hotspots.

“I am 71 years old. I went through all these years of my life fighting and I just want to save as many lives as possible,” he said.

But now, with a new hurdle in the ever-changing drug fight, street supplies in major cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore are being slashed with xylazine, or “tranquilizer,” a tranquilizer created for use in large animals. The mixture is commonly referred to as the “zombie cure” not only because it causes rotting of the skin, which can lead to amputation, but also because of the way a person acts while taking it.

“Basically, you look like the living dead,” said Dr. James Langabier.

He works with UTHealth Houston, which also leads the UTHealth Houston Emergency Opioid Interaction System, or HEROES, a program that provides free counseling, treatment and long-term care for those struggling with addiction.

Langabier said the tranquilizer’s arrival in Greater Houston was imminent.

“We have only heard about this in the form of limited, anecdotal evidence. People say they’re starting to see it and are really asking for it. But this is not for long,” Langabir said.

While some people may knowingly use the drug, others will not be aware of it. Langabir said drug dealers would cut the supply of the new drug to hook consumers.

“To make it more likely that people will use them,” Langabir said. “Xylazine is a drug that prolongs the life of fentanyl or opioids like heroin. Basically, instead of knocking them out right away, it prolongs the effect.”

Unfortunately, Narcan is not effective against tranquilizers.

“It’s very scary,” Langabir said. “Because it’s getting harder for people like the Houston Fire Department, EMS, and emergency services to do their jobs trying to save you.”

Tranq is also on McColgin’s radar, and he hopes people who become aware of the dangers of these drugs will stop them from trying them.

“Nothing is safe,” McColgin said. “I’ve never been afraid of anything … it scares me.”

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