By Sara Renee, CAPRCII-MH, CCHW, Harm Reduction Street Outreach, Muncie Folk Collective—
Muncie Folk, a local harm reduction initiative, continues to distribute naloxone through placement of additional “NaloxBoxes” in the Muncie community
MUNCIE, IN—Late 2021, in partnership with Overdose Lifeline, Inc., and the Governor’s Office and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, two “NaloxBoxes” were installed in Muncie, IN., with a third just recently installed and a fourth coming soon.
“Making overdose response tools like naloxone readily available to any Hoosier who may encounter an individual suffering from an overdose is critical in addressing the drug epidemic,” Gov. Holcomb stated in a previous press release. “We’re committed to raising awareness about the need for bystanders to carry this lifesaving drug, which is why we’ve made it available via so many avenues, at no cost to Hoosiers.”
Naloxone is approved to reverse overdose by opioids and is given when an individual is showing signs of opioid overdose. It works by blocking the toxic effects of the opioid and is often the difference between an individual living and dying.
Naloxboxes are hard, acrylic boxes mounted to exterior walls or posts and are able to provide 24/7 access to naloxone and per the Division of Mental Health and Addiction, are effective measures of addressing the increase of opioid overdoses in Indiana. Each unit can hold 10-15 doses of naloxone, instructions for use, and treatment referral cards. It is Muncie Folk’s hope that through these boxes, ongoing advocacy, education, harm reduction, and access to services, the normalization of access to this overdose reversal tool will reduce the stigma often associated with overdose. Currently, Muncie Folk stocks all three boxes twice daily and is seeing over 600 doses of naloxone go out into the community monthly.
Muncie Folk works with and alongside a variety of local service agencies, neighborhood associations, as well as with individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, and in tandem with Muncie’s Harm Reduction Street Outreach team. For more information on accessing naloxone or the Naloxboxes, please contact SaraRenee, Muncie Folk at 765-215-2230 or MuncieFolk@gmail.com. Muncie Folk is also available via Facebook.
Naloxboxes are currently located in the Old West End neighborhood, the Thomas Park/ Avondale neighborhoods, and the East Central neighborhood areas.
