Increasing Access to Naloxboxes and Prevention Resources Can Save Lives
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Opioid overdoses occur every day and often in public places. Data shows that administering an opioid antidote at the first signs of an overdose can save lives. The South Central Public Health Network, an initiative of Granite United Way, has partnered with communities across the Southern Region of New Hampshire to install NaloxBoxes in various public locations.
A NaloxBox is a hard acrylic box mounted to an exterior wall in a public location that provides 24/7 access to Naloxone (Narcan), a CPR shield, 1 pair of gloves, and detailed instructions on how to administer the Naloxone. Naloxone is a medication approved to reverse an overdose of opioids by blocking their toxic effects and restoring breathing while waiting for emergency services to respond.
Kate MacDonald, the Public Health Network Specialist for the South Central Public Health Network which serves 10 communities in southern NH, shared that partnering with the Police Departments, Fire and EMS Departments, Businesses and the Southern Rockingham Coalition for Healthy Youth (SoRock) has been crucial in efforts to install NaloxBoxes in 7 locations across the region. In total, 700 NaloxBoxes are planned to be distributed for installation throughout New Hampshire. Kate holds her Masters in Public Health and has served the South Central Public Health Network by helping to expand substance misuse prevention initiatives and access to treatment services since 2017.
“I am proud of the communities in the South Central Public Health Network that have taken the steps to increase bystander capacity to react to an overdose situation by installing Naloxboxes and reducing stigma around substance misuse,” says MacDonald.
This is just the first step in increasing access to life-saving resources and creating awareness around overdose prevention. The South Central Public Health Network and the SoRock Coalition, a community coalition designed to promote wellness and nurture resiliency for the children, youth, and families of Southern Rockingham County, will continue to work together to further spread awareness through other initiatives such as the distribution of Overdose Prevention “Power Packs” across the communities they serve. These “Power Packs” include Narcan overdose reversal kits, fentanyl test strips, one single-use CPR face shield, recovery resources, family support resources, understanding addiction info, mental health resources, a safe medication disposal pouch, community resources, and more. They have distributed over 300 of the “Power Packs” to community partners including police departments, hospitals, and family resource centers.
"SoRock's long-standing partnership with the South Central Public Health Network has been instrumental in expanding our reach and increasing our capacity for substance misuse and overdose prevention in the communities we jointly serve," says Charlotte Scott, SoRock Program Director.
The two organizations are also working on a Suicide and Overdose Prevention Initiative called “Lock, Talk, & Save a Life”. This will provide community members easier access to obtain a trigger lock (which prevents a gun from being fired), medication lock boxes, and/or Deterra drug deactivation pouches. They will be working with Derry Community Access Media (DerryCAM) to create a microsite with information about the products and resources that are available as well as an easy way for community members to submit requests for the resources or further information.