Second Lifesaving Narcan Vending Machine Launched in DuPage County
DuPage County - The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) partnered with the Glendale Heights Police Department, the Village of Glendale Heights, and the DuPage Recovery Oriented System of Care (DuPage ROSC) to launch a second Narcan vending machine in DuPage County. This free Narcan vending machine is easily accessible to community members 24 hours a day at the Glendale Heights Police Department, located at 300 Civic Center Plaza, Glendale Heights, Illinois 60139.
“Carrying naloxone, a medication that can rapidly reverse opioid overdose, is one of the most effective means of addressing the opioid crisis and saving lives,” said Adam Forker, Executive Director, DuPage County Health Department. “By providing the community with free 24-hour access to Narcan, we are able to get it in the hands of those who need it most.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Glendale Heights Police Department to officially launch the second lifesaving Narcan vending machine in DuPage County.
“Over the last year, our country has unfortunately lost more than 110,000 people to opioid overdose-related deaths. We need to work to find ways we can save lives and this lifesaving Narcan vending machine is an excellent step forward,” said George Pappas, Chief of Police, Glendale Heights Police Department. “I applaud the collaborative efforts of the DuPage County Health Department, DuPage ROSC, the Village of Glendale Heights, and Police Program Supervisor, Tanya Macko, for spearheading these measures to provide the lifesaving antidote, Narcan, free to our residents. When we work together, we can and will save lives.”
This additional Narcan vending machine expands DCHD’s continued efforts to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths by strategically increasing access to Narcan nasal spray throughout the community. DCHD launched the first Narcan vending machine last year at the Linda A. Kurzawa Community Center, located at 115 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.
“Opioids and Fentanyl have had a direct impact on the residents of Glendale Heights and our surrounding communities. The hosting of a free Narcan vending machine will provide more resources for the residents of Glendale Heights and DuPage County. Glendale Heights is welcoming to all who are in need of this free lifesaving medication,” said Douglas Flint, Acting Village Administrator, Village of Glendale Heights. “I would like to thank Tanya Macko from the Glendale Heights Police Department, the DuPage County Health Department, and DuPage ROSC for their dedication to providing this life-saving medication.”
These services are funded in full or in part through a State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant (TI085769) to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
“We are thrilled to partner with Glendale Heights and the DuPage County Health Department to bring only the second Narcan vending machine in the county to Glendale Heights,” said Jarrett Burton, Recovery Specialist/Coordinator, DuPage County ROSC. “It’s important for us to continue the work of making Narcan free and easy to access for those in DuPage County who need it.”
The opioid crisis and the use of other drugs remain a priority public health concern in DuPage County. In 2022, DuPage County experienced a total of 150 total overdose deaths. Additionally in 2022, 207 opioid-overdose reversals were performed with the use of Narcan by individuals participating in the DuPage Narcan Program.
Additional resources are available, including:
The DuPage Narcan Program. If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about how to administer Narcan, visit: https://www.hopedupage.org/175/Using-Naloxone
The DuPage County Health Department. DCHD is a safety net provider of behavioral health and substance use disorder services for underserved residents in DuPage County. To learn more about DCHD services, visit: https://www.dupagehealth.org/172/Behavioral-Health
The Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances. If someone you know is suffering from an opioid use disorder or other substance use disorders, call the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at 1- 833-2FINDHELP to speak with a trained professional for support and advice or to be directed to customized resources or visit HelplineIL.org.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline. A confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365- day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. For more information, visit: SAMHSA’s National Helpline | SAMHSA
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