Published on February 05, 2024
Owensboro Health Henderson Healthplex Offers Free Narcan Distribution
The public can now access free Narcan at the Owensboro Health Henderson Healthplex, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Green River District Health Department and the Owensboro Health Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship Steering Committee.
Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and help save lives. This initiative is particularly beneficial for individuals who are battling addiction, those with family members taking opioids or patients with opioid prescriptions.
The goal of this program is to prevent complications and save lives, and the committee is looking to extend this service to other regions in the future. It's important to note that this effort does not condone drug usage but rather provides a vital resource to those who need it.
"With the support of a grant from the Kentucky Department for Public Health and Governor Andy Beshear’s Office, we're deploying naloxone storage boxes across our service area, in many locations throughout our communities," said Clay Horton, Green River District Health Department Director. "This effort in Henderson, in partnership with Owensboro Health, highlights our collaborative approach to enhancing the health of our community. We're making strides in overdose prevention and urge the community to utilize these life-saving resources."
The Narcan box, similar to a newspaper box, is accessible in the Healthplex lobby and contains instructions on how to use it. The availability of Narcan is a significant step forward in addressing the opioid crisis that has plagued the nation for years. With the Narcan box accessible to the public, family members of loved ones battling opioid dependence, individuals who are battling addiction or those who are at risk of overdose can have quick access to this life-saving drug.
“This initiative not only helps prevent fatalities but also provides an opportunity for individuals to seek help and treatment for their addiction,” said Jason Collins, Owensboro Health Executive Director of Pharmacy. “It's a positive step towards building healthier and safer communities, and we hope to see more initiatives like this in the future.”
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.