When people first started putting erasers on the other end of pencils there was a huge debate about whether it was a good idea or not because many thought it would encourage people – especially school kids – to be less vigilant about mistakes. However, when it comes to issues like deaths by drug overdose or infection, Guilford County health officials want to make sure that one mistake doesn’t mean the loss of a life.
To that end, Guilford County officials will gather on Friday, Feb. 20, at 11 a.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the installation of a new no-cost naloxone vending machine in High Point.
The event will take place at the Triad Health Project, located at 501 West Westwood Avenue in the county’s second largest city.
According to a press release from the county, the Guilford County Division of Public Health’s Drug and Injury Prevention Program is partnering with the Triad Health Project to install the machine.
It will be the third no-cost naloxone vending machine placed in Guilford County.
Two other machines were previously installed inside the Greensboro Detention Center at 201 South Edgeworth Street and the High Point Detention Center at 507 East Green Drive.
County officials state that the vending machine will provide no-cost access to naloxone, wound care kits and fentanyl and xylazine test strips.
They describe those items as tools proven to prevent overdose deaths and reduce infections and related medical care needs.
Naloxone is a medication that’s used to reverse opioid overdoses.
The additional supplies available in the machine – including wound care kits and drug test strips – are intended to address health risks associated with substance abuse.
There has been some debate about the wisdom of distributing these care kits, with some people worrying that they may encourage drug use or at least make users feel better about it.
The purchase of the new vending machine and the first two fills of naloxone were funded by BlueCross BlueShield’s Healthy Blue Foundation.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m., and the county has invited media outlets and the public to attend.
County officials haven’t yet released additional details about how the vending machine will operate or whether there will be limits on the number of items dispensed per visit.
This installation represents the county’s latest effort to expand access to “harm reduction” tools through its public health division’s Drug and Injury Prevention Program.
So does this mean I can go out on the street and pass out these items for free? How about we add free vending machines for booze and other drugs using the same arguments for justify the raping of tax payers.
I for one don’t feel like being forced into being an indirect criminal. Oh, and let’s not forget the tax increase that will go along with this supporting of peoples drug habit
One other thought…is the County Commissars going to be held responsible for the lawsuit that can potentially take place when someone used this drug to treat an overdose and the person dies or will some poor do-gooder lose everything they own. And don’t try to tell me that will never happen.
For those that didn’t immediately spot this: “No cost” means someone still pays. Rest assured that some of tge money comes from grants funded by us taxpayers. The portion funded by Blue Cross gets paid by us too. Either through increased deductibles, or increased medical costs due to them negotiating lower rates with providers so they will be the ones raising our cost.
Absolutely nothing in life is free, other than a smile, a wave or a middle finger.
We also pay for addicts medical care visa emergency rooms, drain on police resources, etc… Are you suggesting we let em die in the streets? Is that the conservative cost saving strategy for dealing with cost of drug addiction in society?
That sounds like the best plan yet Chris. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
At least the funeral homes could make a profit without taxpayers footing the bill
Lol well actually, you pay for unclaimed bodies processing with taxes too. But I guess we could leave them in the streets for buzzards to save you money. But kinda gross.
So Chris you think Naloxone is a good idea for drug addicts who overdose. That’s telling me you don’t have a problem with the criminals who sell their drugs or the human toll of the the crimes committed in the selling or distribution of drugs. Got any more bright ideas Chris
I don’t understand your view on Naloxone. Is your belief that stopping death by overdose is supporting drug dealers? How do you come to that conclusion? You think dead bodies in the street stops drug use?
Personally, i don’t understand the vending machine approach as it is one location so likely of little real impact. Key is giving to people in the community who are in and around dug users such as police, shelter workers, social workers who work in the field etc…..
Curious how you came up with your logic on this one.
That is exactly what I am proposing. My own relatives included. It’s called accountability for one’s actions. Partaking of toxic substances known to be addictive have (or should have) consequences. Stop SNAP & WIC next unless the person in genuinely disabled and cannot work. Lying around on one’s back with their knees spread shouldn’t be a career. It may in fact be fun, but it’s not something we pay others to do if they are doing little or nothing else to support themselves.
Easy conclusion Chris. Stop drug dealers then no overdose problem. Then no need for Noxolene. No drugs then no overdose problems
Sure. So why not given the drug to save their lives in case of overdose until the problem is solved? You demonized naloxone as if that is supporting drug dealers? Weird.
How do you proposed we stop drug deals and manufacturers? What would you do differently than what is happening today?
they choose to ‘die in the streets’ while my altruism is better used helping ‘better’ people ? case study: 80% of the dollar value of health care an average person receives in their lifetime will be in the failed efforts before they die ! i think all ’boutique’ issues (sex/gender/race/income etc) could be remediated by ‘go fund this’ appeals run by guvmnt ?
San Fran Cisco, here we come…..
Simple solution Chris get arrested and convicted for trafficking Illegal drugs short jail sentence then execution. A few of those then drug traffickers would get the message. Problem solved. No sympathy or tears from me.
People in the drug trafficking industry are killed every day and are locked up for life after 3 strikes, yet your idea has never reduced the flow of drugs. Try again.
My idea has never been tried Chris. NO jail time. Execution. Let’s see if that changes attitudes
Hey professor I like Wills idea just take a look at what happens in Iran you get caught stealing you lose a hand get caught again you lose the other hand so the problem is solved. Get caught dealing illegal drugs, then execution. Problem solved
if the criminal act was ‘inhuman’ they are not ‘human’. put that DOG down !
You can’t fix stupid. Especially with frigging politicians.
another organization is holding a huge, elaborate, expensive, well publicized ribbon cutting ceremony for the condom/cigarette vending machine they installed in a bathroom somewhere WHO CARES TRIVIAL guvmnt in action. something non-profit officers accomplish/ are capable of ?
This is one of those programs that the democratic majority commissioners need additional funding. Programs like these are why they cannot go revenue neutral.
ditto. it’s called ‘the mamby pamby’
It follows that we should have vending machines for mini-bottles of our favorite booze.
let’s put ‘substance dispensers’ where we would prefer they diddle & hang out.
And condoms for our favorite strippers