EMMIE BOESE
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The first naloxone vending machine in Kansas is located at the front of the Crossover Recovery Center in Hutchinson. It was revealed at a ribbon cutting ceremony at Crossover on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Naloxone, also known as NARCAN, is a medication designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose according to DCCCA. DCCCA Chief Community Based Services Officer Chrissy Mayer said the biggest need for the placement of the machine is accessibility.
"This provides a real anonymous way to allow people to access naloxone for free," Mayer said. "All they have to do is enter their zip code and then product will dispense. So, it really meets a huge need. We did work with some OD mapping as well to help identify a good placement for the machine. Especially in Hutchinson, this area had a high number of overdoses so this makes sense to have it nearby to make it accessible for people who are experiencing overdoses. "
Thomas Simmons, President of the Kansas Recovery Center, said naloxone alone is not going to get people into treatment for addiction but it will keep them alive for services in the future. Simmons said he's seen this concept work in his personal life.
"In 2018 when the Kansas Recovery Network, before they got the 501c3, was handing out Naloxone on street corners," Simmons said. "The reason they started doing that is because a lot of their friends were dying. I knew a lot of those people so a lot of my friends were dying too. And I was almost in their numbers. They didn't know me and I didn't know Kansas Recovery Network at the time, but I was almost one of those people so having the naloxone used on me with a personal experience, and then not finding recovery for another year, and still being able to succeed later on, it has a special place for me because I know exactly what it is used for."
Healthy Blue is a collaborator for the installation of the Naloxone vending machine in Hutchinson. Healthy Blue is a collaboration of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas.
Bryan Baier, Plan President for Healthy Blue, said the vending machine placed in a smaller community, is an opportunity to turn a small investment into a big result for more than just opioid use.
"We are going to start in Hutchinson and use that as a pilot community, funding some various initiatives," Baier said. "And so that's why we picked Hutchinson first, and also for the needs here in Hutchinson, so it worked out for both ways."
For those who need to access the free naloxone, type in your zip code at the machine. Crossover Recovery Center is located at 400 W. 2nd Ave.
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