With opioid overdose deaths on the rise, several groups across the country are working together and getting creative to combat the problem. The U.S. FDA approved the over-the-counter sale of Naloxone, also known as Narcan, a nasal spray that reverses opioid overdoses, which has led to increased availability, but there’s still a stigma around the drug. Efforts to normalize Narcan’s use include repurposing old newspaper boxes and vending machines, allowing people to access the life-saving drug without fear of judgment.
Recovering opioid addict Tasha Withrow co-founded Project Mayday and now works to distribute Narcan using repurposed newspaper boxes. As part of “Save A Life Day” this week, Project Mayday and other nonprofits saw the distribution of 60 of these boxes across 35 states. One of the boxes went to Aonya Kendrick Barnett, who leads a harm reduction coalition in Kansas and was already operating a vending machine that distributes around 2,600 packages of Narcan a month. Another of the boxes went to 74-year-old Larry Tuite of Erie, Pennsylvania, who says that the life-saving medication has saved at least a dozen lives in his community.
Together, these efforts are part of a growing movement across the U.S. to make Narcan more available and accessible in public spaces. By placing the life-saving drug in easily reachable locations, these groups aim to reduce overdose deaths and help communities overcome the stigma surrounding opioid addiction and treatment.
Source: CBS NEWS