A New Boston healthcare worker has made it easier for citizens to help save lives in case of an accidental overdose. August Woolridge, founder of Heartstart Heroes CPR & First Aid, unveiled a new vending machine which provides free access to naloxone, also known as Narcan, to the community to help aid in the quick response of opioid overdose emergencies.
The New Boston vending machine is located at the corner of Center and Hoskins streets. A second vending machine has been placed in Texarkana inside the lobby of The Randy Sam’s Outreach Shelter.
“You see overdoses everywhere,” Woolridge said. “They have different machines all over the state, but if you look at Northeast Texas … there’s nothing this way.”
“Immediate access to naloxone can mean the difference between life and death,” Woolridge added. “We want communities to have practical tools available when emergencies happen.”
Naloxone is a nonaddictive medicine that reverses the effects of opioids by binding to brain receptors, stopping respiratory failure. It is not harmful if used on a person if no opioids are present.
The use allows for individuals to provide quick care while emergency medical professionals are enroute to an emergency.
Drugs naloxone helps reverse include, but are not limited to: fentanyl, heroin, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, codeine, hydromorphone and counterfeit pills contaminated with fentanyl.
“Nalozone can be critical in both substance use emergencies and accidental opioid overdoses, including unexpected exposure or medical misuse,” Woolridge said.
The vending machines allow quick, free access to boxes containing two single- dose nasal spray devices to administer in the event of an overdose emergency. It works like a traditional vending machine with a corresponding number to input into a keypad and have the box drop. However, no money is needed to access the product.
Instructions for use of the medicine are on the side of the machine as well as the boxes distributed.
Funding for free access to naloxone and the vending machine is provided through Naloxone Texas from federal grants through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The project has been supported by Texas Targeted Opioid Response, a public health initiative operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and the 88th General Appropriations Act of Texas.
“I want to see how well these two machines go, but I would like to see our area saturated with naloxone access,” Woolridge said.
Woolridge said his company also maintains additional naloxone supplies which are available for outreach programs designed to serve vulnerable and at-risk populations.
For more information on Naloxone Texas, visit their website at Naloxone-Texas.com.
