Narcan Now Available For Free In Vending Machine In St. Charles

ST. CHARLES, IL — A vending machine with free Narcan has been set up outside the Lighthouse Recover Center in St. Charles.

Narcan can rapidly reverse the effects of opioids, and the treatment is now available to the public 24 hours a day, every day, in the vending machine outside Lighthouse Recovery's clinic in St. Charles, which is located at 210 S. 5th St.

Instructions for how to use the Narcan nasal spray are included, according to a news release from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

“Free, 24-hour access to this life-saving medication is essential to reducing the overdose death
rate in our communities,” said Nathan Lanthrum, clinical director and co-owner of Lighthouse
Recovery. “It has saved the lives of countless friends and family members over the years and
should be readily available to anybody who needs it, regardless of their ability or desire to access
services in any other capacity. When someone is treated in this fashion – with compassion
instead of shame – it could give them that one last chance to realize that help is out there and
start them toward the path of recovery.”

The vending machine is not monitored so individuals can obtain Narcan anonymously, and Narcan is harmless if administered to someone who is not overdosing

“I hope this is the first of many free, round-the-clock Narcan distribution efforts in Kane
County,” Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser said. “I’m grateful to Nathan Lanthrum
and the Lighthouse Recovery staff, whose work benefits the entire community. We have seen
first-hand that Narcan has saved the lives of people overdosing including police officers who
have been exposed to drugs while investigating crimes. Offering easier access to Narcan is one
of the many ways we can help those in our community with substance use disorder.”

Michael Isaacson, director for the Kane County Health Department, said knowing how to administer Narcan is important.

“Addressing substance use is complex, but one easy thing all of us should do is learn to
administer Narcan and make sure it is widely available,” Director Isaacson said. “Programs like
this one at Lighthouse save people’s lives.”

Naloxone is highly effective, officials say. Research conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston shows that when given naloxone, 93.5% of people survive their overdose, according to the news release.

“We’ve learned over the years that providing widespread public access to Narcan is an essential
lifesaving tool. It is no surprise that Lighthouse continues to be the community leader in
substance use preventive care,” said Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain.

According to the most recent data available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, opioid overdose deaths across the U.S. increased from 21,089 in 2010 to 80,411 in 2021.

In 2021 and 2022, there were 156 opioid-related deaths in Kane County.

The Kane County Health Department is hosting a free Narcan drive-through distribution event
from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, at 1240 N. Highland Ave., Aurora. August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day.