Orion Township Library Adds Save a Life Station with Narcan, Fentanyl Tests, and More
(Crystal A. Proxmire, July 31, 2023)
Orion Township, MI – “We’ve narcaned people in Kroger, in parking lots, in quarter car washes. You name it, it’s been used,” Sgt. Zehnpfennig said as he talked about the need for Narcan access in the community. He spoke to a gathering of folks from organizations involved in bringing a Save A Life box to the Orion Township Library.
The box contains naloxone (with the brand name Narcan), which is used to revive someone in the midst of an opioid overdose, as well as testing kits to see if substances contain Fentanyl, plus resource cards for those who want to get help with substance abuse issues. There are also safe disposal kits that will dissolve unwanted medications safely. The box is located in front of the Orion Township Library and is accessible any time of the day or night. There are instructions plus a QR code leading to a video about Narcan administration. Library staff also received training.
Steve Norton, Harm Reduction & Recovery Support Director of the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, was among those at the July 27 unveiling. He told Oakland County Times that while over-doses of opioids like heroin and Oxycontin continue to be a problem, “it’s not just abuse that’s causing the overdoses, it’s tainted substances. The drug supply is really tainted,” he said.
An increasing amount of overdoses are caused by people taking other drugs that have Fentanyl in them. Fentanyl is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. According to the US Department of Justice, “It only takes a very small dose of fentanyl, 2 milligrams, to be lethal. By comparison, a sweetener packet found on a restaurant tabletop generally contains 1,000 milligrams per packet.” Those producing illicit drugs use Fentanyl because it is inexpensive to obtain compared to other opioids, and less of the substance is needed to produce the euphoria that users seek.
Last year there were 249 fatalities from opioids, and over 1,800 reported rescues in Oakland County, with the rescue number only being those done by an agency that reports such as hospitals, police, fire, and paramedics. The total number of lives saved by Narcan is unknown. But what is known is that making it accessible and making people aware of the risk of death by adulterated drugs saves lives.
Norton also explained that using naloxone on someone who is passed out will not harm the person if their health issue is something else. For example if someone was passed out due to alcohol, or from a heart attack, the Narcan will not wake them up, nor will it harm them any further. Signs of an overdose include pinpointed pupils and a lack of breathing.
Library Director Chase McMunn said the Library was happy to provide a “friendly place that the community gathers” so that people can feel comfortable taking the items or information they need. He was also pleased with the way people came together. “I’m really heartened by the response of everybody who showed up today to support this.”
Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett was among those who attended. “Orion Township is one of the safest communities in Michigan, but it’s a different time,” he said. “Our young people and adults are struggling with addiction all over the world, and we’re not immune to that.”
The Save a Life Box and ongoing supplies are funded by Oakland Community Health Network, with Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communites working with local groups like North Oakland Community Coalition to identify locations. The goal is to place 110 boxes throughout Oakland County by next year. Currently there are 38 in various cities including Royal Oak, West Bloomfield, Berkley, Walled Lake, and Farmington Hills.
For all Save a Life Box locations, visit this INTERACTIVE MAP. To learn more about Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, check out their website at https://achcmi.org/.
