By SYDNEY KENT
Over 200 units of Narcan, a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose, have been utilized in Wells County during the last year through a free resource kit.
The Narcan box, located behind the Community Thrift store at 117 S. Main Street, was produced from a partnership between Community Care of Northeast Indiana and the Wells County chapter of Citizens Against Drug Abuse in March 2023. The box contains doses of naloxone, known by its brand name Narcan.
“There have been over 200 units gone in total,” said Christine Walker, CCNEI executive director. “You don’t know if that has saved a life, but it is humbling to think about that. Our store makes it an easy access for the community, people think that they’re dropping off donations when they’re just getting it out of the box.”
The box is the first of its kind in the county. Walker said that the organization hopes to install an additional box at a local business in Ossian, preferably at a convenient location for the community to access.
“Molly Hoag with CADA was very strategic in looking for a location within the city limit,” Walker explained. “She worked hand in hand with the Overdose Lifeline to bring it all together. We would love to see another box installed in the county.”
Walker said accessibility to Narcan is a critical component of harm reduction. Nearly half of the just over 200 units used were accessed in the last two months.
Twyla Bice, manager of the resource center for CCNEI, refills the box as needed and records data about the number of units taken. Bice said that 39 units of Narcan were taken in February and 49 in March.
Some people may have concerns about administering the medication to someone they believed was experiencing an overdose but were not. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, it is still safe. If the person is overdosing on something other than an opioid, the medication will be ineffective.
“If you have loved ones you’re concerned about, you can keep it in your car or bag,” Walker explained. “Even if you aren’t aware of anyone battling addiction to opioids personally — it’s a great thing to have. It can save a life.”
Any businesses in Ossian interested in learning more about installing a Narcan box should contact CADA at cadaofwellscounty@yahoo.com.
sydney@news-banner.com
