Community Groups In Putnam, Kanawha Prepare To Distribute 1,000 Naloxone Kits Wednesday

The West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy is piloting a new event Wednesday, called Save a Life day, where more than 15 sites across Putnam and Kanawha Counties are prepared to distribute 1,000 naloxone kits to anyone who comes their way. 

Naloxone is a drug used to reverse the effects of an overdose – it can be administer by either a syringe or a nasal spray, like Narcan.

The event is an effort from the state ODCP, with funding from the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation and the CAMC Foundation.

Participating organizations include churches, clinics and community groups. Peer recovery coaches will be at most sites to offer recovery resources and educational materials.

Dr. Lindsay Acree, an assistant professor at the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy, trains people to give and administer naloxone.

“Naloxone is really, it’s a life-saving drug,” Acree said. “It does not treat the substance use disorder, but it keeps people alive. And that’s really what we’re trying to do.  We’re trying to keep people alive, so that they have the opportunity to go into recovery.”

The event is made possible in part after a new law went into effect this year, establishing a community distribution model for naloxone, meaning any governmental or non-governmental organization with a standing order from a pharmacy can hand out this medication.

“It’s a little easier for someone that’s already in the community to get out there and reach individuals that need naloxone than it is for other individuals,” Acree said. “If there’s that community connection, that helps … so that they can actually reach the people that need it.”

Most sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Charleston:

Cabin Creek Health Systems Admin Building at 104 Alex Lane

Risen City Church at 1410 4th Ave.

West Virginia Health Right at 1520 Washington St E

Drop-in Center, 1001 Smith St.

South Charleston:

Cafe Appalachia at 206 D St.

Cross Lanes:

Cross Lanes United Methodist Church, 5320 Frontier Dr.

Chesapeake:

Chesapeake Healthcare Center, 11950 MacCorkle Ave.

Dunbar:

Serenity Club, 1225 Ohio Ave.

Elkview:

Elkview Baptist Church at 1150 Main St.

Hurricane:

Church of Christ at 600 Midland Trail

Montgomery:

The Grid (Bridge Valley Community and Technical College) at 807 2nd Ave.

Nitro:

Kingdom Life Fellowship at 405 1st Ave S.

Scott Depot:

Church at the Depot at 6496 Teays Valley Road

Sissonville:

Sissonville Health Center at 6135 Sissonville Dr.

St. Albans:

Gateway Church of Christ at 422 B St.

Winfield:

Winfield United Methodist Church at 20 Radwin Dr.

Emily Allen is a Report for America corps member.