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ADAMHS Board Received State Opioid Response Dollars
to Install Five Naloxone Vending Machines and
447 Emergency Access Naloxone Cabinets
Cuyahoga County, OH - The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County received State Opioid Response funds in the amount of $1,148,724.75 to increase harm reduction efforts in Cuyahoga County aimed to reduce overdose fatalities.
The grant allowed for the purchase of five naloxone vending machines, four of which will also include other harm reduction kits such as safe sex, wound care and sharps containers. It also allowed for the purchase of 447 emergency access naloxone cabinets that can be installed in public places to increase access for bystander overdose rescue.
“Harm reduction efforts, like public access to naloxone in vending machines and emergency access naloxone cabinets, save lives. The ADAMHS Board doesn’t condone drug use, but we want to make sure people are alive to get the help they need,” said Scott Osiecki, CEO of the ADAMHS Board. “It is important for the community to know that mental illness and addictions are biological brain disorders that require treatment. We want people to have that chance to get treatment, to live in recovery and that is why we continue to expand harm reduction tools.”
Five naloxone vending machines were installed across Cleveland, in partnership with The Centers/Circle Health, Murtis Taylor Health and Human Services System and the MetroHealth System at the following locations:
- The Centers/Circle Health: 12201 Euclid Avenue
- The Centers Gordon Square: 5209 Detroit Avenue
- The Centers East: 4400 Euclid Avenue
- Murtis Taylor: 13422 Kinsman Road
- MetroHealth Main Campus: 2500 Metrohealth Drive
“The Centers are proud to partner with the ADAMHS Board in the installation of Harm Reduction vending machines at three of our locations to facilitate access to Narcan, HIV testing, and other harm reduction supplies to prevent overdose deaths and the spread of blood borne infections,” said Adriana Whelan, DNP, CNP, Associate Director Primary Care & HIV Primary Care, and Syringe Exchange Services at The Centers.
"This is an innovative approach ensuring that important medicine for opioid overdoses, including fentanyl, is readily available at no cost to our family members, friends and neighbors. The opioid epidemic is sparing no one and we must act boldly to ensure that we have no cost distribution options for this life saving medication, such as these naloxone vending machines and cabinets, readily available in all of our neighborhoods." said Lovell Custard, Murtis Taylor Human Services System CEO.
The 447 emergency access naloxone cabinets will contain the overdose reversal drugs Narcan (4 mg) and Kloxxado (8 mg) and can be installed in any public location where an overdose may occur. These boxes and the naloxone to fill them is purchased through this grant funding from a vendor, OAR Systems, who employs individuals in substance use treatment and recovery to make the boxes. The ADAMHS Board contracted with MetroHealth’s Office of Opioid Safety to install, track and monitor the use of the boxes.
“These are important tools that have been proven to save lives and help to eventually get people on the road to recovery,” said Dr. Joan Papp, Medical Director of MetroHealth’s Office of Opioid Safety. “Providing the community with 24/7 access is an important part of turning the tide on this epidemic, which has caused so much pain for our families, friends and neighbors.”
Other harm reduction efforts, such as overdose sensors and buttons and a localized app to help individuals who may be using alone connect with care will be installed and rolled out in the coming months.
Learn more about ADAMHS Board led Harm Reduction efforts at www.adamhscc.org/harmreduction.
Interested in obtaining an emergency access naloxone cabinet? Email Madison Greenspan at [email protected].
Know a single stall restroom that would benefit from an overdose sensor? Email Madison Greenspan at [email protected].
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