WHEATON, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) --A Narcan vending machine is up and running in DuPage County.
The county’s first Narcan vending machine is at the Linda A. Kurzawa Community Center is in Wheaton, according to the DuPage County Health Department.
The vending machine is part of DCHD’s efforts to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths by expanding access to Narcan nasal spray and providing easy access to the community.
Naloxone, sometimes referred to as Narcan, its brand name, is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose by restoring breathing and brain function, an ultimately preventing an opioid overdose. Naloxone can be administered by a nasal spray or an injection.
In 2021, DuPage County had 137 total overdose deaths, a five percent increase from 2020. 214 opioid-overdose reversals were performed with the use of Narcan by individuals participating in the DuPage Narcan Program, which focuses on educating people about how to recognize and respond to an overdose, and how to use Narcan to save a life.
“We must continue to ensure widespread access to Narcan, as every life lost to a drug overdose is one too many,” said Karen Ayala, Executive Director of the DuPage County Health Department in a statement.
“DCHD continues to support individuals with substance use disorder by providing them a path to long-term recovery."
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