AUSTIN, Texas -- The opioid crisis continues to plague parts of the country, but other states are looking to Texas and its online access to a drug that reverses opioid overdoses. 

Last May, Texas became the first state to allow for the online sale of the reversal drug Naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, and other states are following suit. 

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At Infinite Recovery, a drug rehabilitation facility in Austin, Narcan is locked away, but never far out of reach. Owner Michael Dadashi said the drug can stop an opioid overdose in its track. 

“We have this at all 13 properties, and we also carry this in our vehicles when we do a sober transport because you never know when you’re picking somebody up that’s going to be checking into detox, if they’ve done a fatal shot of heroin or taken too many opiates, and we’ll need to administer this before they get to detox,” said Dadashi.  

Most recovering addicts are familiar with Narcan. Rachel Martin, a recovering heroin addict, was given Narcan by her mother a couple years ago. 

“I told her mom, I don’t need that. I know what my body can handle,” said Martin.  

Just hours later, Martin said she overdosed. 

“That night the vials of Narcan saved my life,” said Martin.  

Now, it’s easier than ever for struggling addicts to buy Narcan. The Naloxone Exchange is an online portal where addicts can anonymously buy it in select states. Texas was the first to adapt it after the Chicago-based company Fiduscript launched in Texas because of the state’s willingness to approve its business model.

Martin said being able to buy anonymously will help addicts who are embarrassed or affected by stigma make sure they’re prepared in case of an overdose. 

“A lot of people are dying before they even get the chance to hear the message of recovery,” said Martin.  

Dadashi said he hopes more states follow Texas’ lead and offer Narcan online. 

“This is not getting people high, this is saving lives,” said Dadashi.  

While only a couple of states allow for the purchase of Narcan online, 46 states now sell it over the counter at the pharmacy. 

Click the video link above to watch our interview with Mandy Renfro. She's a doctoral student at the University of Texas' College of Pharmacy and has been working on UT's Operation Naloxone, which provides overdose prevention and response education to students, health professionals and the public.