Free, 24/7 Naloxone Kiosk Now Available to Help Fight Opioid Overdoses in Chatham County

15 Nov 2024

PITTSBORO, N.C. - Chatham County residents have a new way to save lives affected by the national opioid crisis, thanks to a new, free naloxone kiosk located at the Chatham County Public Health Department's Siler City clinic. The machine, which was purchased through funding from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina's Healthy Blue Medicaid plan, is the first location in Chatham County to provide no-cost, 24/7 access to naloxone, a lifesaving medication that reverses opioid overdoses, to the public.

Chatham County community members can access naloxone at no-cost by pressing a button on the climate-controlled, outdoor kiosk. Healthy Blue purchased the machine for the county as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by opioids.

In Chatham County, opioid overdoses continue to harm county residents. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported that, in 2022, one out of every 1,000 residents visited the hospital or died because of opioid overdoses in Chatham County. Anyone using opioids, whether they are prescribed or not prescribed, can experience an overdose.

According to Chatham County Public Health Department Health Director Mike Zelek, the kiosk is an important way for the Chatham community to access lifesaving medication and fight the opioid crisis close to home.

"Our staff have been working hard to make naloxone available to the Chatham community, leveraging the Opioid Settlement Fund and other sources to increase supply of this life-saving resource," said Zelek. "The kiosk will allow us to make it available at any time, complementing existing distribution and education efforts."

The new kiosk was unveiled on Nov. 15, following a ribbon cutting ceremony and remarks from Chatham County officials and Healthy Blue representatives who played a key role in bringing the machine to the health department. Training on how to use naloxone was held for the public after its grand opening.

"Working with our local communities to make this easy-to-use medication more accessible will not only save lives but strengthens the health and well-being of our families, our workplaces and our neighborhoods," said Healthy Blue CEO Angela Boykin.

The Chatham County Public Health Department's Siler City clinic was chosen to host the kiosk due to its location near healthcare providers including the health department, Piedmont Health Services and Daymark Recovery Services, ensuring that as many people as possible have access to substance use treatment and resources through all three facilities.

In addition to the new kiosk, Chatham residents can also access free naloxone inside the CCPHD's Siler City and Pittsboro locations Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. - 5 P.M. In the future, the kiosk will be stocked with additional items to support community health.