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accessHealthNews.net
August 2022
Volume 8 | Issue No. 60
O
n May 31, Missouri's first self-service Narcan
vending machine made its debut at the Butler
County Health Department (BCHD). Naloxone,
commonly referred to as Narcan, is a medication that
can quickly stop and reverse an opioid overdose.
According to Lisa Martin, who sparked the development
of the project, the goal is to reduce deaths by putting
life-saving medications into the hands of the community.
The project was developed in collaboration between
Martin, Rural Communities Opioid Response Program
(RCORP) Project Director for Missouri Highlands
Healthcare; Karen White, CPA, CEO of Missouri Highlands
Healthcare; Emily Goodin, BCHD administrator; and Amy
Bland, BCHD health educator.
Martin had read about a similar machine housed in a
sheriff's department in Indiana, but as an advocate for
harm reduction, wanted to make the machine more
accessible. Although first responders have Narcan
available in ambulances and patrol cars, they are not in
the room while an individual is overdosing.
The vending machine allows individuals in need of
Narcan, including those who are accidentally exposed,
and the people supporting them to easily access the
medication. Stigmas surrounding substance use also
create a barrier to treatment as users may avoid seeking
help in fear of repercussions.
"I was looking for sustainable ways to target the large
number of overdoses occurring in Butler County," Martin
said. "I wanted to move away from having the machine
housed with local law enforcement in an attempt to
have some neutral ground for people in the community
to have access to Narcan."
According to the Missouri Drug Overdose Dashboard,
drug overdose deaths are the number one leading
cause of death among adults ages 18-44 in Missouri.
More than 70% of drug overdose deaths involve opioids.
Opioids include both prescription and non-prescription
pain relievers as well as drugs such as heroin, fentanyl,
methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and more. Though
prescription opioids and heroin used to drive opioid
deaths in Missouri, synthetic, non-heroin opioids such as
fentanyl have become the primary killer.
In 2020, synthetic opioids caused 1,095 deaths in Missouri,
compared to 36 deaths involving heroin. Non-heroin
opioid overdoses accounted for all 19 of Butler County's
overdose deaths in the same year.
As the opioid epidemic rages on throughout both
the country and the state, Narcan vending machines
offer a much-needed hand. By making Narcan widely
accessible, free of stigma, these machines allow
individuals to easily obtain immediate life-saving
treatment.
The machine is located in the lobby of BCHD and is set
to take free vouchers, which are provided on the wall
beside the machine. One voucher will dispense one two-
dose box of Narcan. According to BCHD, there will be
no personally identifying information required. BCHD only
requires that recipients of the vouchers are at least 18
years of age.
"I'm happy and proud knowing that we are bringing harm reduction methods
to the communities that need them most.Overdoses in our counties have been
increasing and knowing that we have been able to give people access and
education to save a life makes me proud." - Lisa Martin
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