The Swift Institute Launches Narcan Distribution and Education Initiative

The new program aims to prevent opioid overdoses and improve patient safety.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:05pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph showing the internal structures of a human hand holding a bottle of Narcan medication, conveying the life-saving power of this overdose reversal drug.An X-ray image reveals the internal structure of a hand holding the life-saving overdose reversal drug Narcan, highlighting its critical role in addressing the opioid crisis.Reno Today

The Swift Institute, in partnership with the National Opioid Center of Excellence and the University of Nevada, Reno, has launched a naloxone distribution and education initiative to help prevent opioid-related overdoses. The program provides free Narcan to patients prescribed opioids and educates the community on the importance of having Narcan on hand, even if opioids are not being used in the home.

Why it matters

Opioid overdoses have become a major public health crisis, with accidental overdoses often occurring in elderly patients taking multiple medications. This initiative aims to improve patient safety and save lives by ensuring more people have access to the life-saving overdose reversal drug Narcan.

The details

The program, led by Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Shayne Doyle and Medical Assistant Josue Avalos, provides Narcan free of charge to any of Doyle's patients who are prescribed opioids. In addition, the team has developed a comprehensive framework for implementation, including clinical integration, inventory tracking, patient education protocols, and compliance with state guidelines.

  • The Swift Institute launched the new Narcan distribution and education initiative in April 2026.

The players

The Swift Institute

A healthcare organization in Reno, Nevada that has launched the Narcan distribution and education program.

National Opioid Center of Excellence

A national organization that partnered with The Swift Institute to develop the new initiative.

University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)

The university that also collaborated with The Swift Institute on the program.

Shayne Doyle

An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at The Swift Institute who leads the Narcan distribution efforts.

Josue Avalos

A Medical Assistant at The Swift Institute who helped develop the implementation framework for the initiative.

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What they’re saying

“Any of my patients that are prescribed opioids are also asked if they have Naloxone, also known as Narcan. If they do not, they will be given Narcan free of charge to take home.”

— Shayne Doyle, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, The Swift Institute

“It's important to have Narcan in your home whether or not there are opioids being used, since you never know when it could save someone's life.”

— Josue Avalos, Medical Assistant, The Swift Institute

What’s next

The Swift Institute plans to continue expanding the Narcan distribution and education program throughout the Reno community to reach more patients and save lives.

The takeaway

This initiative demonstrates how healthcare providers can proactively address the opioid crisis by ensuring patients and community members have access to the life-saving overdose reversal drug Narcan. By making Narcan readily available and educating the public, The Swift Institute is taking an important step towards preventing opioid-related overdoses and improving public health.