Evergreen Health Announces Installment of Free Narcan Vending Machines to Combat Opioid Crisis

Two Life Saving Machines Available 24/7 in Chautauqua County

Jamestown, N.Y. — Evergreen Health installed two free Narcan vending machines in Chautauqua County, in partnership with Matters Network, Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services, the Dunkirk Express and owner Munassar Sharian, and community leader, Jessica Falco. Both machines are now available to the public to ensure Western New Yorkers always have access to life saving measures for free as overdose deaths continue to increase according to Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services.

The first machine installed is located at Dunkirk Express at 81 E 5th St, Dunkirk, NY 14048, and the additional machine is located at Evergreen Health at 320 Prather Ave., Suite 300A, Jamestown, NY 14701. Each machine is located outside of each building to allow for 24/7 access.

People can utilize the vending machines, which offer Naloxone Nasal Spray, also known as Narcan, Xylazine and Fentanyl test strips, and instructions to use by entering the access code, year of birth and zip code on the vending machine keypad. Once unlocked, the vending machine will dispense up to three free Narcan boxes and test Xylazine and Fentanyl test strips. More information on local addiction-related resources can be found at CombatAddictionCHQ.com.

“Providing life saving measures to the community is a testament to our commitment to providing harm reduction services unconditionally, in a nonjudgmental environment, ultimately meeting the community where they are,” said Emma Fabian, assistant vice president of harm reduction for Evergreen Health. “Working with community leaders and advocates, we have been able to identify the areas with the greatest need to ensure Chautauqua County receives free access to life saving Narcan and Xylazine and Fentanyl test strips.”

“MATTERS is proud to join forces with Evergreen Health, one of our original partners to offer lifesaving harm reduction supplies through our vending machine program,” said Joshua Lynch, DO, EMT-P, FACEP, chief medical officer for Matters Network.

“Evergreen Health and the MATTERS Network are valued partners in the many collaborative projects underway to address addiction in Chautauqua County. Their leadership in acquiring and overseeing these two naloxone vending machines for the county means that residents in need have even more access to this life-saving medication,” said Steve Kilburn, grant projects director for Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services. “Because of our county’s various naloxone distribution efforts, hundreds of individuals, and thousands of family members, have been spared a tragic outcome due to an overdose.”

The Narcan vending machines were made possible by a grant funded through Matters Network, an electronic referral platform that refers patients with opioid use disorder from emergency departments, OB/GYN offices, correctional facilities, inpatient units, pre-hospital settings, etc. to community-based clinics across New York State.

Narcan is a life-saving medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. “Opioid” is an umbrella term that represents all compounds that bind to opioid receptors and ultimately modulate the transmission of pain signals, according to the Mayo Clinic. The most commonly used opioids include but are not limited to substances such as fentanyl, heroin, and many prescription painkillers.

Please call 911 immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing an overdose. Administering Narcan is not a substitute for emergency medical care for an overdose.

About Evergreen Health
Evergreen Health fosters healthy communities by providing medical, supportive, and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York – especially those who are living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system. For more information, visit www.evergreenhs.org.

About Matters Networks
Medication for Addiction Treatment and Electronic Referrals (MATTERS) was created in 2016 by emergency medicine physician Dr. Joshua Lynch to improve access to treatment for opioid and substance use disorders. Services offered include rapid referrals, telemedicine services, free harm reduction supplies, transportation vouchers, and medication vouchers. Learn more at www.mattersnetwork.org.

About Chautauqua County’s Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services
Chautauqua County’s Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services provides high-quality mental hygiene services that are accessible, comprehensive, and outcome-based. As the Local Government Unit (LGU), we are mandated by New York State to oversee all Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders services. We are also a National Health Service Corps site (NHSC) and are committed to serving all patients, offering a sliding pay schedule for those who qualify. Learn more at: chqgov.com/mental-hygiene