Whatcom County Health and Community Services has placed three additional naloxone dispenser boxes at locations across the county.
People can now access free, 24/7 naloxone — a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose — at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center at 8251 Kendall Road in Maple Falls, the Bellingham Food Bank at 1824 Ellis St. and the Northwest Youth Services Ground Floor Drop-in Center at 2500 E St. in Bellingham.
“By adding more Narcan dispenser boxes in key locations, we’re taking a proactive approach to ensure that community members have immediate access to this vital medication,” said Communicable Disease & Epidemiology Manager Shamika Brooks in a news release Monday, Oct. 7. “This expansion is part of our broader commitment to reducing opioid-related harm and saving lives in Whatcom County.”
[ Read more: What to do if you see a suspected overdose ]
The first box was placed at Ferndale Community Services, to positive feedback, its executive director told Cascadia Daily News. Community members can also access naloxone at the TestandGo kiosk located at the health department at 509 Girard St., Bellingham, as well as some pharmacies, drugstores and the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
