Franklin County increases free Narcan access to fight overdoses
Franklin County, New York, is distributing free Narcan through “red boxes” and other programs to address rising overdose incidents and reduce stigma around carrying the drug.
MALONE, N.Y. —
Franklin County, New York, is expanding access to Narcan, a life-saving drug used to reverse overdoses, through free “red boxes” and other initiatives during Substance Use Primary Prevention Month.
“They’re just boxes that hold Narcan in different locations. Organizations agree to have them there,” said Hannah Busman, public health director for Franklin County. “We’ve been working with both Alice Hyde and Adirondack Health to give out Narcan to patients when they come in, so they can just hand it to them for free.”
So far this year, there have been six reported overdoses in Franklin County. Health officials say they typically average about 20 overdoses annually, but the numbers are likely underreported.
According to New York state health records, overdose-related emergency room visits have increased across the North Country since 2021. Busman said the health department is taking more proactive measures to prevent overdoses, partnering with first responders to explore new ways to increase access to reversal drugs.
“We’re working with our EMS and firefighters to do some leave-behind Narcan programs,” Busman said. “So if they go to a call and it’s warranted, they can just leave some Narcan in the house for people.”
The Franklin County Health Department is also working to eliminate the stigma around carrying overdose reversal drugs like naloxone, especially after a rise in overdose incidents inside New York state prisons last year, which also affected corrections officers and staff.
“Last year in the prisons in Franklin County, there were multiple times when people touched a substance and the workers there had to go to the hospital. It really overran that ER,” Busman said. “Our ERs did great managing it, but it’s a real problem when that happens because the resources are limited.”
Last year, the Franklin County Health Department distributed 900 Narcan kits across the county and trained more than 300 people on how to administer the drug.
Narcan training sessions are available online. You can also reach out to your local health department or the American Red Cross to find a training session near you.