Nalox-Box: Naloxone for everyone

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Barren River District Health Department is trying to increase the number of people who have Naloxone on their person in the event of an overdose.

The price for the popular opioid overdose reversal drug known by the trade name Narcan is prohibitively high for many people. Some pharmacies in the Bowling Green area are selling two four milligram doses for as much as $142 without a coupon. This makes it very difficult to encourage members of the community to keep the drug on them.

Through a recent grant, BRDHD has received roughly $64,000 with which they have purchased a large quantity of Narcan that they now want to give away for free to anyone who wants or needs the life-saving drug.

A Health Educator and Harm Reduction coordinator with the BRDHD says that this is such a great thing for the department.

“I’m just really excited that our state and our area, we’re really trying to destigmatize substance use and I think it is a no-brainer for us if we have something that can help people, then we’re going to get that in our community members hands as quickly as we can,” she said.

The concept is to encourage local businesses in the BRAD region to keep a “Nalox-Box” on their property. The Health Department will ensure that the box is stocked and members of the community can swing by and pick up Naloxone doses as needed. This will increase the number of people carrying the drug and hopefully reduce the number of fatal overdoses over time.

“Currently there’s a lot of funding in harm reduction and there’s a lot of funding for us to receive Narcan at no cost. And yes, it’s very important that we get this opioid reversal drug in the hands of anybody who wants it or needs it, because we know that it’s the only thing that can save lives and reverse an overdose,” she said.

Experts encourage any business in the region to reach out about setting up a Nalox-Box, if interested call  270-781-8039 Ext. 185.