Naloxone vending machines are expanding nationally and in Washington state as a way to prevent opioid overdoses
VANCOUVER – The naloxone vending machine located in the public lobby of the Clark County Jail is a result of a partnership with Clark County Jail Services, Southwest Washington Accountable Communities of Health (SWACH) and Carelon Behavioral Health.
Naloxone vending machines are expanding nationally and in Washington state as an innovative way to prevent opioid overdoses. This is the fourth location in Clark County.
The naloxone vending machine contains nasal naloxone (brand name Narcan), fentanyl test strips and information about local substance abuse treatment services. It is located in the Jail Lobby at 707 West 13th St. and accessible during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The lobby is closed 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The vending machine items are free.
Jail Services partnered with SWACH and Carelon on the Naloxone vending machine because of the clear alignment with the departmental mission to promote and maintain public safety through effective correctional and reentry practices. On average, 7% of the non-incarcerated population in Washington experiences an Opioid Use Disorder contrasted to over 53% of the jail population. Studies have also found the risk of death from a drug overdose within two weeks of release from a jail is 13 times higher than the general public.
“Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health is proud to sponsor and support the naloxone vending machine at the Clark County Jail,” said SWACH Executive Director Nichole Peppers. “Sashila Mistiuk, SWACH’s Community Health Improvement Project Manager, worked collaboratively with both county jail leadership and Carelon Behavioral Health to secure a naloxone vending machine at the jail ensuring the community has access to Narcan and other harm reduction supplies.”
The new machine expands SWACH’s naloxone vending machine network, which includes five other locations across Clark, Klickitat and Skamania Counties. The network is part of a broader initiative being led by SWACH’s Community Health Improvement Department, which aims to address opioid use disorder and substance use disorder (OUD/SUD) along with other crucial regional health needs like behavioral and physical health integration, rural health networks, and reentry.
“Clark County Jail Services wants to ensure anyone leaving the jail, as well as friends, family and community members, are easily able to procure naloxone to reduce death from opioid overdose,” said Jail Services Director David Shook.
Jail Services is taking additional steps to reduce opioid overdose deaths including:
- Medical screening for Opioid Use Disorder at time of booking
- Providing in-custody clinical services related to medications for Opioid Use Disorder
- Issuing naloxone for all corrections officers to carry on duty
Providing naloxone at time of release to anyone who receives opioid treatment while in jail and anyone who requests it through partnership with the Washington Department of Health Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution program
Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.
Also read:
- BPA responding to widespread weather-related outages
Bonneville Power Administration crews are responding to more than 40 transmission outages caused by extreme weather across the Northwest. - Letter: A call for competent Interstate Bridge project management
Rick Vermeers argues that unchecked scope, rising costs, and missed timelines threaten the survival of the Interstate Bridge Replacement project unless light rail is removed. - CRESA officials ask public to call 911 only for emergencies during weather events
CRESA officials are urging residents to reserve 911 calls for life-threatening emergencies during weather events as storms continue to cause power outages and hazardous conditions. - Rep. John Ley introduces bill to balance representation on Washington transportation boards
Legislation introduced by Rep. John Ley seeks to change how transportation board seats are allocated and prevent funding penalties tied to population-based representation rules. - Woodland man arrested, charged with murder
A 67-year-old Woodland man was arrested after deputies found a deceased man hidden on his property following a 9-1-1 report of a homicide. - Wild windstorm knocks out power, closes roads, and cancels school throughout Clark County
A powerful windstorm tore through Clark County, leaving tens of thousands without power, forcing widespread school closures, and blocking roads with downed trees and debris. - Northwest just finished warmest fall on record, scientists report
Scientists report the Pacific Northwest experienced its warmest fall on record, with snowpack at the lowest level for this point in winter since tracking began in 2001.
wpDiscuz
