City of Berkley Partners with Families Against Narcotics to Increase Narcan Access for Community
The City of Berkley has partnered with local community-based organization Families Against Narcotics to make Narcan kits accessible to residents throughout the city.
The program seeks to keep residents safe by reducing overdose deaths in the community. The RescueBoxes, which resemble newspaper sales devices containing individual kits with doses of Narcan, have been installed at the following locations:
- Berkley Public Library, 3155 Coolidge Hwy.
- Parks and Recreation, 2400 Robina Ave.
- City Hall, 3338 Coolidge Hwy.
- Public Safety, 2395 Twelve Mile Road
Community members can discreetly take the Narcan kits at no cost from these boxes during the building’s normal business hours. The Public Safety Department is open 24 hours and accessible to the community.
“While the City of Berkley has one of the lowest overdose incident rates in the area, many residents privately struggle with controlled substances,” Berkley Public Safety Lt. Andrew Hadfield said. “Having Narcan readily available in our community can be lifesaving.
“We encourage individuals in our community who struggle with controlled substances to contact us to get connected to the proper resources.”
Narcan is an easy-to-use nasal spray that can help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in minutes. If community members believe someone is overdosing, they are encouraged to:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Administer Narcan or its generic, naloxone.
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
- Stay until emergency assistance arrives.
"In the face of Michigan's opioid crisis, FAN’s RescueBox initiative breaks down barriers by placing naloxone within arm's reach, transforming public spaces into free distribution sites,” FAN RESCUE Program Supervisor Marissa Engardio said. “We’re thrilled that the City of Berkley has installed four RescueBoxes. By doing so, the city is empowering ordinary people to become community rescuers, extending a lifeline to those at risk of overdose."
For more on the Berkley Public Safety Department, visit berkleymich.org/departments/public_safety/index.php. For more information about Families Against Narcotics, visit familiesagainstnarcotics.org.
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