Cherry Health adds 2 new Narcan vending machines
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Free opioid overdose reversal kits are now available 24/7 at four Cherry Health locations across West Michigan.
Cherry Health on Tuesday announced new Narcan vending machines at two of its Grand Rapids locations: the Southside Health Center, located at 2303 Kalamazoo Ave. SE near Edna Street SE, and Westside Health Center, at 669 Stocking Ave. NW near Nagold Street NW.
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Narcan is the brand name delivery system for the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone. Narcan has no potential for abuse, according to Cherry Health.
The two new vending machines were funded by a $20,000 grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the health system says. They join two that were already in place at other Cherry Health locations: one at the Heart of the City Health Center on Cherry Street SE in Grand Rapids, the other at the Montcalm Health Center on N Lafayette Street in Greenville.
Free Narcan vending machine program expanding
“This is one of the most important tools that we have in combating the opioid epidemic. What’s happening in our communities is devastating and any opportunity that people have to stay alive and access health care services is a benefit,” Cherry Health Chief Behavioral Health Officer Bob Smith told News 8.
Nearly 50 “little boxes of hope,” as Smith called them, are dispensed each week at the Heart of the City location. A similar number are taken from the machine in Greenville.
“My belief is that everyone can benefit from having Narcan. I think that as much as we can offer access points to the community, we will continue to do so,” Smith said.
Nearly 3,000 people died from drug overdoses in Michigan in 2022. Just last year, 109 overdose deaths were reported in Kent County.
“One of the things that I will often talk about is it’s really hard to provide treatment to dead people. Narcan is literally the way that we keep people alive to be able to come in and receive services,” said Smith.
Another issue health leaders are working to address is removing the stigma around substance use disorders. Smith believes these machines are helping do that.
“Part of having this community accessible 24/7 is that we take the stigma out of it. You don’t have to talk to anyone, you don’t have to ask for it. You show up, punch a number and you get a free box of Narcan.”
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