Greene County Public Health is installing 12 kiosks with free naloxone — the overdose reversal medicine.
The kiosks have 24 boxes, each with two nasal sprays. Each kiosk has QR codes for a training video and for an app called the Brave App, which users can download and connect with someone who will assist them by calling EMS or 911 on their behalf during drug use.
According to the CDC, Ohio ranks in the top ten of the highest rate overdose deaths in the country — almost 50%.
Melodie Kingsley, from the harm reduction team, said these kiosks will help combat stigma to getting help.
“We want to get naloxone out to the public barrier free and make it accessible so that there's no red tape, and no cost,” Kingsley said. “People may not feel like they're treated fairly if they ask for naloxone or they may feel that there's judgment associated with it.”
Money from the Ohio Department of Health paid for the kiosks and Greene County health officials said they hope to get funding to expand the program.
“One of our goals is to get Naloxone out to everyone that needs it, so the goal is to put it in different locations,” Kingsley said.
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan for over-the-counter, non-prescription sale.
