Health Department installs Naloxone sites

The Breathitt County Health Department announced on April 2 that they had installed several Naloxone Boxes across Breathitt County to help reduce the number of overdose deaths.

 

The Health Department placed three new boxes that are open and free to the community.

 

Naloxone is a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.  It is intended to restore breathing within minutes of it being administered for patients experiencing an opioid overdose. Naloxone is the generic name often associated with Narcan.

 

In the latest released statistics, Breathitt County experienced a reported 18 overdose deaths in 2023, with an occurrence rate of 150.6 per 100,000 residents.  Breathitt County ranked third in the state of Kentucky in rates of overdose death.  

 

Some officials believe that the number may be underreported since, in many areas, deaths are reported as “cardiac arrest,” although drugs were a primary mitigating factor.  

 

Neighboring counties also experienced high rates, according to the 2023 statistics released by the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.  Lee County reported 11 overdose deaths and a rate of 155.9 per 100,000 residents.  Perry had 24 deaths and a 93.3 mortality rate.  Other counties in our area reported their deaths, including Knott with 13 deaths, Magoffin County with 8, Wolfe County with 6, and Owsley County with 5. 

 

The Health Department is part of a state-wide effort to provide life-saving Naloxone in our community.  

 

The newest naloxone distribution sites in Breathitt County include the Altro Church of God at 14260 State Highway 1110, the Rousseau Volunteer Fire Department at 9421 Highway 30 East, and the Lost Creek Evangelical Free Church at 140 Highway 476.

 

The Breathitt County Health Department will frequently maintain the boxes and keep them stocked.  The Naloxone is free and can be picked up at any of the newly added locations.  Additional boxes may be added as needed in the future.