Vermont Health Department statistics show that overdose antidote kits for heroin and other opiate drugs distributed to the general public were used 38 times to treat overdoses during the first six months of a pilot program.
The antidote is a nasal spray containing the drug Naloxone, which counteracts the effects of overdoses of heroin and other opiates.
Since December the Health Department has distributed 391 kits to addicts, friends, family members and others.
They were distributed via sites in Burlington, White River Junction, which also serves New Hampshire clients, Rutland, St. Johnsbury and Berlin.
The Health Department's Mike Leyden says it's unclear how many lives were saved by Naloxone.
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