Witham Health Services Receives Naloxone Vending Machine As Part Of State Effort To Curb Drug Epidemic

Witham Health Services announced yesterday the placement of Indiana’s newest naloxone vending machine at their facility located in Whitestown at Anson at 6085 Heartland Drive, Zionsville, IN 46077. The machine is one of 19 to be placed statewide and will be available for use by the public. Gov. Eric J. Holcomb first announced the initiative in Dec. 2021.

“There is no single solution to ending this epidemic that has taken the lives of thousands of Hoosiers,” Gov. Holcomb said. “We can, however, take thoughtful steps to help shake the scourge of addiction from our communities. Naloxone vending machines are a practical tool to prevent overdoses and save lives.”

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication approved to reverse an overdose from opioids and is given when a person is showing signs of opioid overdose to block the deadly effects of the overdose.

The vending machines are manufactured by Shaffer Distribution Company and programmed to dispense free naloxone kits. Each kit includes a single dose of naloxone, instructions for use, and a referral to treatment for substance use disorder. The machine holds up to 300 naloxone kits and is free to access.

Overdose Lifeline, Inc., an Indiana nonprofit dedicated to helping those affected by substance use disorder, is partnering with the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) to identify jails, hospitals, and other community sites interested in a vending machine to distribute the lifesaving medication. Machines have already been placed in public areas of St. Joseph, Wayne, DuBois, Marion, and Monroe County jails, Tippecanoe County Community Corrections, Clark Memorial Hospital, Scott Memorial Hospital, Union Hospital in Vigo County, and an Eskenazi Health Center in Indianapolis.

Overdose Lifeline will purchase the vending machines using federal grant funds totaling $72,600 made available through DMHA. There is no cost to entities that implement a vending machine.

“We must continue to ensure widespread access to naloxone, given the lingering impact of COVID-19 and the increased supply of fentanyl in our 92 counties,” said Douglas Huntsinger, executive director for drug prevention, treatment, and enforcement for the state of Indiana. “Every life lost to a drug overdose is one too many. Naloxone offers the opportunity to get individuals with substance use disorder on the path to long-term recovery.”

Indiana reported a 21% increase in fatal overdoses during the 12-month period beginning in Dec. 2020 and ending in Dec. 2021, according to provisional data released in May by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This machine gives Boone County residents zero-barrier access to a medication that could mean the difference between life and death,” Kelly Braverman, President/CEO Witham Health Services said. “Witham is proud to be the recipient of one of the state’s first naloxone vending machines, and we applaud Governor Holcomb’s commitment to address the drug epidemic. From our recent Community Health Needs Assessment residents of Boone County ranked mental health and substance abuse 1 & 2 top areas of concern. This is a great extension to the Mental Health in the Emergency Department Program Witham has in place where patients who come to our Emergency Departments with a mental health crisis have the opportunity to receive immediate treatment from an Integrated Wellness mental health professional and get support 24 hours a day.”

To learn about Overdose Lifeline’s naloxone distribution opportunities or to request a free naloxone kit, visit www.overdoselifeline.org.

About Witham

Witham Health Services is proud to be part of the growth and vitality throughout Boone County and the surrounding communities.

Our mission is to improve your health through excellence and personalized care. Every day, our experienced and compassionate staff, combined with our state-of-the-art technology, bring exceptional health resources to patients and their families – all close to home.

Witham has offices in Crawfordsville, Frankfort, Jamestown, Lebanon, Thorntown, Whitestown at Anson and Zionsville. At Witham Health Services, we feel called to care for our neighbors; supporting them to live healthy, active lives and helping them heal in times of injury and illness. To learn more about our mission, our values and vision, visit www.witham.org