Cumberland County: NALOXONE Available At Department Of Public Health

Press release from the Cumberland County:

Aug 11, 2021

The Cumberland County Department of Public Health began distributing naloxone today after receiving funding approval from the County Commissioners and Alliance Health. This initiative aligns an ongoing effort by the Cumberland-Fayetteville Opioid Response Team to improve the opioid response in Cumberland County. This will provide more live saving measures to the citizens of Cumberland County.

Naloxone kits are available at the CCDPH Pharmacy located on the first floor at 1235 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville and will be available at no charge while supplies last. Visitors will check in at the front desk and be directed to the pharmacy where naloxone can be requested.

The distribution of naloxone is to benefit those who are at risk of a potential opioid overdose.  Individuals can pick up a kit if they have friends, family, or a loved one who are at risk of an opioid overdose or for people who want to help if they see someone having an opioid overdose. Everyone qualifies to pick up naloxone from the Health Department.

Naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN, is a lifesaving medication that is used to reverse an opioid overdose. It works by blocking the effects of the opioids in the person’s system, reversing the overdose. Naloxone can be given nasally or injected into the muscle.

Cumberland-Fayetteville Opioid Response Team, part of the Department of Public Health, is dedicated to improving the opioid response in our community through a collaborative effort among local government and community stakeholders. C-FORT is committed to identifying strategies that will impact the opioid issue while creating a sustainable community response for years to come.

Pharmacy hours are:  

• Monday –Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Closed for lunch 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

For more information if you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, please seek help by visiting allianceforaction.org or calling Alliance Health at 800-510-9132.

For more information on how to administer naloxone, please visit https://harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/overview/overdose-basics/understanding-naloxone/ 

For more information about Cumberland County Department of Health programs or about the Cumberland-Fayetteville Opioid Response Team visit https://www.co.cumberland.nc.us/departments/public-health-group/public-health

This press release was produced by the Cumberland County. The views expressed here are the author’s own.