San Joaquin County Public Health Services (PHS) is helping lead the way to better community health by adding naloxone to three of its five vending machines. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist medication used to save lives in the event of an opioid overdose.
Narcan, a nasal formulation of this medication, is administered by spraying it into the nostril of an individual showing signs of opioid overdose. Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose from opioids, including: fentanyl, heroin, morphine, oxycodone, methadone, hydrocodone, and codeine.
Naloxone is safe and easy to use, works almost immediately, and is not addictive. Naloxone has very few negative effects, and has no effect if opioids are not present in a person’s system.
The three vending machines with free naloxone nasal spray are located at:
• PHS administrative office,1601 E. Hazelton Ave., Stockton;
• First-floor lobby of the County Human Services Agency, 333 E. Washington St., Stockton;
• Stockton Metropolitan Airport, 5000 S. Airport Way, Stockton.
“The research has shown that administering naloxone buys valuable time to get someone treated by a medical professional,” stated Greg Diederich, San Joaquin County Health Care Services Agency Director. “With a growing ease-of-access to fentanyl-laced drugs and other very powerful opioids, this continues to pose a safety concern for our region. By providing free naloxone in our public health vending machines, we increase the likelihood that it can be used by the public to save lives in our county.”
According to Rachel Zerbo, Public Health Educator with the San Joaquin County Opioid Safety Coalition, “Narcan (naloxone) saves lives, it’s as simple as that. It’s easy to use, has few side effects, and it is important for the public to have access to this critical tool in fighting the fentanyl overdose epidemic. Vending machine distribution will increase access to this overdose reversal medication, allowing many more people in our community to save the lives of friends and family members.”
It is essential to call 9-1-1 immediately after administering naloxone. The person still requires professional medical assistance to save their life, as the effects of naloxone only last 20 to 90 minutes. This short window of time has been repeatedly demonstrated to be lifesaving if emergency medical responders arrive in time.
If you, or someone you know, need help with drug addiction services, call the San Joaquin County Access Line at 209-468-9370 or 1-888-468-9370. The Access Line will perform a short screening and then make a referral to a provider, who will perform a more extensive assessment to determine appropriate substance use disorder treatment.
