In a move advocates have been waiting years for, the US Food and Drug Administration has made the overdose reversing drug Narcan available over the counter. Those advocates call it a big step forward in curbing an overdose crisis that's killed more than 100,000 people a year.

"We've had a lot of inquiries about Narcan in the area," says Jessica Fox-Balog, who runs Heaven's Little Angels Child Care and Preschool in Austintown. She's seen several families impacted by addiction and overdose. It's why she teamed up with Mahoning County Public Health to host a Narcan distribution event Thursday. In her mind, the expanded availability is key in helping both addicts and victims of accidental ODs.

"It has a very negative effect to it, whenever you hear the name 'Narcan', and we want to put more truth out there to that," said Fox-Balog.

Some studies have called the impact of widely available Narcan into question.
They've shown it's directly saved one in 10 opioid users' lives.
It's an argument some critics make against expanding availability.

"There are critics for anything," Fox-Balog said. "You can't please everybody, but if you can change at least that one out of 10, it's one person out there that's turning their life around."

Narcan should be available at most pharmacies by this summer.
Some worry about their insurers finding out they're getting it.
Others worry about cost.
But for Jessica Fox-Balog, the potential payoff is priceless.

"They can't have a second chance if you don't give them a chance or an opportunity to turn their life around."