A new vending machine — rather, a vending “box” — offers life-saving items for those who may face an opioid overdose.
Naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose, is available at no charge from the machine installed outside Thrive Allen County, 9 S. Jefferson Ave. It will be available 24/7 and includes additional safety items such as a prescription drug disposal bag, wound care kit, fentanyl test strips and a safe sex kit.
A grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration provided funding for the vending machine and items inside. It was unveiled Wednesday morning in a brief ceremony with Thrive officials, law enforcement and others. April Jackson, Thrive’s addiction prevention and recovery resources director, spoke about the importance of having naloxone in every home to immediately respond to an overdose. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. Naloxone has no effect on someone who doesn’t have opioids in their system, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
“Naloxone is important not just for those suffering from addiction. Opioids are in most homes in one form or another. The opioid epidemic is a danger for everyone from toddlers all the way to grandparents. Anybody can be affected by it,” Jackson said.
Families with loved ones who struggle with opioid addiction should have naloxone nearby. They can ask their family members to carry it and let friends know where it is. People should still call 911 immediately in the event of an overdose.
Naloxone is available at pharmacies, the health department and other locations, but some may feel more comfortable using the private, free box, Jackson said. More public agencies are starting to recognize the benefit of easy access to naloxone, and vending machines like the one installed outside Thrive are becoming more popular. Even so, the Thrive location is among the first in the area.
Jackson also oversees the SEK Recovery House, an arm of Thrive that provides a home for those who are working to recover from substance use disorders and addiction. She hosted a community discussion about substance misuse and addiction in December.
