Huntington Braces for Naloxone Shortage Amidst Proposed Funding Cuts

Huntington, West Virginia, a city once known as the epicenter of the U.S. opioid crisis, is bracing for a potential naloxone shortage. This is due to the Trump administration's proposed cut of $56 million in annual grants that fund naloxone distribution. Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan, is a life-saving drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. NBC News correspondent Morgan Radford's report highlights the concerns of residents and health officials. Rebecca Queen, an opioid user, expressed her fear, stating, "I think they're trying to kill us off." Connie Priddy, who leads the Huntington Quick Response Team, emphasized the importance of the funding, saying, "The funding is just so important, I can't even tell you." The city has made significant progress, reducing overdose calls by over 70% since their peak in 2017. However, the proposed cuts threaten to reverse this progress. The video underscores the human cost of potential funding cuts and the vital role of naloxone in combating the opioid crisis.