The Seminole County government has partnered with the Orlando-Sanford International Airport and its police department to provide ready access to Narcan through boxes installed throughout the Sanford airport.
Narcan, a brand name for the drug naloxone, can treat symptoms of an opioid overdose and save a person’s life, if administered correctly and quickly enough. In a video announcement of the new initiative, airport police sergeant Anthony Eger said ready access to Narcan is important for cases “where we can’t wait on medical personnel to respond.”
“By making Narcan readily available and educating the community, Seminole County is working to prevent tragic incidents before they happen, saving lives one dose at a time,” a voice-over in the video announcement states. Kelly Welch, community services division manager for the Seminole County government, told Orlando Weekly over email that there have been 91 overdose incidents in Seminole County so far in 2026 and 13 overdose deaths.
“Seminole County is committed to a strong opioid mitigation strategy that continues to educate our community regarding the very real dangers of taking any pill not prescribed to you and obtained from a licensed pharmacy,” Welch added.
Opioid overdose is a cause of death for thousands of people each year, although overdose fatalities have declined recently both in Florida and nationwide after spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a recent report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, opioid-related deaths in Florida fell by 42 percent from January 2025 to June 2025. Deaths caused by fentanyl — a synthetic opioid at least 50 times as potent as heroin — fell 46 percent over the same period. Nationwide, about 70,000 people in the U.S. died from a drug overdose from December 2024 to December 2025, according to federal data, down from nearly 110,000 overdose deaths in 2022.
“In recent years, the number of overdose deaths in Seminole County has reduced by 50 percent,” Welch acknowledged. “But there is still a lot of work to be done.”
“In recent years, the number of overdose deaths in Seminole County has reduced by 50 percent, but there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Seminole County spokesperson
Harm reduction advocates have said that expanded access to naloxone (Narcan), in addition to changes in the drug supply and drug use behavior, have contributed to a decline in opioid overdose deaths over the last several years. Narcan, frequently touted as a “lifesaving drug,” was first made available over the counter by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2023 under the Biden administration.
The initiative in Seminole County to make Narcan readily available to first responders and the public at Orlando-Sanford International Airport is funded by $50,000 in grant funds, a county spokesperson confirmed. The airport welcomes 3 million passengers per year.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the agency that oversees Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the Orlando Executive Airport, did not immediately respond to an emailed question of whether their airports similarly offer public access to Narcan, or if they plan to.
Symptoms of an opioid overdose (which can also occur after taking a drug laced with opioids) may include slowed or stopped breathing, discolored skin, contracted pupils (“pinpoint pupils”), loss of consciousness and gurgling sounds.
Seminole County “works collaboratively with the municipalities and nonprofit partners to provide no-cost services to any resident seeking recovery,” Welch confirmed. She said anyone seeking help for substance use in Seminole County can contact Seminole County Community Health at 407-665-2304 or visit their website here.
Orange County similarly offers resources for people with substance use disorder. You can find a list of Orange County resources for substance use treatment and recovery options here.
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