The Town and Village of New Paltz are setting up outdoor emergency naloxone stations designed to provide quick intervention in the event of an opioid overdose.
According to a Hudson Valley One report, this initiative is being spearheaded by the New Paltz Opioid Overdose Prevention and Response Team (NPOOPRT) ”“ including the New Paltz Police Department, New Paltz Rescue Squad, New Paltz Youth Program, Office for Community Wellness, Institute for Family Health, NP Safe and Family of New Paltz.
The stations are bright red and resemble the Little Free Libraries installed for giving out books. Each stations includes an emergency opioid overdose reversal medication kit with the drug naloxone, along with instructions for safe use. The stations also feature a red flag that can be lifted to alert NPOORT members that a refill needs to be added; stations will be monitored daily.
Two stations have already been installed and eight more are planned. Similar stations are also installed at indoor locations across New Paltz.
“The idea for this unique effort was ”˜born”™ during a NPOOPRT meeting where we were discussing ways that we could improve our efforts and increase access to naloxone within New Paltz, particularly outdoor locations where an overdose may occur or someone may encounter someone in need of help,” said Phoenix R. Kawamoto, director of the Town of New Paltz Office for Community Wellness. “A great deal of time and effort went into researching and designing these units, as well as obtaining necessary materials, followed by their construction, finishing and installation. These outdoor emergency opioid overdose stations are the result of a truly exceptional community collaboration.”
Photo courtesy U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
