Vandalia Health expands free public access to naloxone at northern region hospitals

Vandalia Health is expanding access to life-saving overdose reversal medication by installing public naloxone distribution boxes at hospital entrances throughout its northern region.

The first boxes are being installed at Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center in Morgantown, Vandalia Health Mon Marion Neighborhood Hospital in White Hall, Vandalia Health Mon Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood and Vandalia Health Mon Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston. Additional boxes are expected to be installed at other northern region hospitals in the coming weeks.

The publicly accessible boxes contain free naloxone kits and educational materials with instructions for use. Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is a medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Patients, visitors, employees and other community members may take naloxone from the boxes as needed without requesting assistance, providing personal information or explaining why they need it. Individuals may take multiple kits when necessary.

“Removing barriers to naloxone can make the difference between life and death,” said Ashley K. Murphy, LICSW, MAC, AADC, Director of Addiction Services, Vandalia Health. “These boxes allow individuals to access this medication privately and without judgment, whether they need it for themselves, a loved one or someone else in the community. Making naxolone readily available is an important part of reducing stigma and ensuring people have the opportunity to survive an overdose and seek help when they are ready.”

The initiative is intended to provide convenient, nonjudgmental access to naloxone while helping reduce stigma, prevent fatal overdoses and support individuals and families affected by substance use disorder.

“Having naloxone readily available at our hospitals gives community members the resources to be prepared if they witness an overdose,” said Angela Snider, MS, RN, APRN-BC, Chief Nursing Officer of Vandalia Health Mon Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital. “An overdose can happen anywhere, and immediate access to naloxone can save precious time while emergency help is on the way. By bringing this resource directly into the communities we serve, we are helping equip families, friends and neighbors to respond when someone’s life is at risk.”

Naloxone for the boxes is being supplied through grant funding provided by Lindsay Acree, PharmD, AE-C, with the University of Charleston and various pharmaceutical companies as part of their opioid settlement agreement. The public access boxes were provided by the CAMC Foundation. Each participating hospital will monitor and restock its box to help ensure naloxone remains available to the community.

By making naloxone readily available across its hospitals, Vandalia Health is continuing its commitment to expanding community-based overdose prevention services and connecting people with resources that can save lives and support recovery.