DUBLIN, Ga. — A Dublin recovery group is hoping to reduce opioid overdose deaths by giving out the overdose drug Narcan and fentanyl test kits.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in 2021 more than 100,000 people nationwide died from drug overdoses. That's why Rise Up, a recovery group, opened a free distribution box that's available to anybody at any time.
Ashley Black is the executive director at Rise Up.
"With the opioid epidemic at an all-time high right now, having Narcan can really- it can save a life honestly," Black said.
She said while it's more common nowadays to find Narcan in places like schools, and government offices, it's important to also get Narcan into more public places.
"My hope is that these will be more accessible to the communities, not just you know in those government buildings, but actually out in the public to where it's accessible for people that actually need it," Black said.
The box has two types of Narcan- an injectable version and a nasal spray. Black said Narcan is not a drug you can overdose on, and it has no harmful effects if used on somebody who isn't overdosing. The box also has fentanyl test strips that detect fentanyl in other substances.
Stephanie Kucera is a substance abuse program clinical supervisor at Community Service Board of Middle Georgia.
"Addiction does not discriminate. People with substance use disorders are everywhere," Kucera said.
She said that's why resource boxes with Narcan should be everywhere.
"People who are suffering from an addictive disorder, they are not going to buy Narcan. They're going to- if they have $10 dollars or $15 dollars or the $50 dollars to purchase Narcan, they are going to go get high," Kucera said.
The box is the first one in Laurens County.
"I think rural areas don't have as many resources available, period. If you go to Atlanta or Savannah, you're going to have a lot more resources available," Kucera said.
Black said that's why they'd like to add more distribution boxes in the future. Not just in Laurens County, but also in surrounding areas that don't have one.
"Recovery is real in Dublin, Laurens County," Black said.
The box is at Bobby's Food Mart at 402 North Jefferson Street.
Black said Atlanta organization, Georgia Overdose Prevention, is supplying the Narcan. Normally, buying a single-dose box over the counter will set you back about $50.
Black said if anybody is struggling with addiction and would like help, they can reach out to Rise Up.
Their services go beyond the narcan distribution box. Rise Up support services also include:
- hiring specialists to help with resume building, job readiness, job placement, and tutoring
- one on one peer mentoring
- recovery advocacy
- recovery check-in sessions
- community awareness
- Narcan education
- all recovery meetings