Officials from the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Union County and Union County Health Department are pictured celebrating the installation of a Naloxbox, which contains the life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication, Naloxone. Pictured from left to right are Thomas Rogan, Project AWARE district coordinator with MHRBUC; Adam Negley, MHRBUC executive director; Lauren Putz, health educator with UCHD and Holly Zweizig, MHRBUC associate director.
(Photo submitted)
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The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Union County is working to improve health outcomes and to connect individuals struggling with addiction with treatment resources through the installation of a Naloxbox in their Main Street office.
“Naloxboxes” are installable wall units that can be placed in bathrooms, hallways or near first aid or AED kits. They hold up to two kits of Narcan, the opioid overdose reversal medication, and a CPR mask in case the person overdosing is not breathing.
Associate Director Holly Zweizig invited the Union County Health Department to train staff on overdose response and be present for the installation of another life-saving resource for county residents.
The Mental Health and Recovery Board, along with funding from the Ohio Department of Health, has helped make the Naloxbox initiative a reality within the county, Zweizig said.
She said the hope is that the Narcan inside the boxes never has to be used. It is one more safety measure that can become widely available to save a life from a possible overdose.
Individuals in need of Narcan can access the medication directly from the Naloxbox without needing to fill out forms or speak with a provider.
All Narcan distribution sites in the county aim to be as inclusive and barrier-free as possible, as it can be difficult to ask for help face-to-face. Zweizig said the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Union County strives to be a space for barrier-free access to opioid-overdose reversal medication.
As more community organizations and businesses install Naloxboxes and receive Narcan administration training, the Union County Health Department encourages organizations in the county to consider reaching out for more information.
Zweizig said the health department can create a map of Naloxbox sites to help community members know where and how to access Narcan if there is ever an emergency overdose situation. The map will also help health department staff to better understand where these emergency access points are lacking. The goal is to ensure all areas of the county are equipped to handle an emergency overdose because it can happen quickly and unexpectedly.
For more information about Naloxboxes or Narcan administration, those interested should contact Lauren Putz at the Union County Health Department at 937-645-2056.
For information on local substance use treatment providers visit www.mhrbuc.org or call 937-642-1212.