Where to find your local opioid overdose reversal kit

An emergency kit containing naloxone affixed to the outdoor wall of Fillmore Town Hall. The kit is accessible 24/7.

Banner Graphic/NINA THOMPSON

Putnam County is not immune to the sweeping drug overdose epidemic, but Putnam County Recovery Coalition (PCRC)’s installation of Narcan/naloxone kits is one lifesaving way to combat the statistics.

Five boxes containing the opioid overdose reversal medicine, known as Narcan or naloxone, have been installed by PCRC around Greencastle, Reelsville and Fillmore.

According to the Center for Disease Control, a dose of naloxone, if used in time, can reverse a potentially deadly overdose from opioids like heroin, Fentanyl and prescription drugs like Codeine and Morphine, all of which are highly addictive.

While the cause of addiction varies from person to person, social factors can partially be blamed for pushing the epidemic to new heights.

“Addicts and the homeless, they’re stigmatized the most,” said Kimberly Holt, PCRC peer recovery coach. “The accountability needs to be placed on humanity, our empathy toward one another ... People are dying because of this stigma.”

Even those without an opioid addiction should be aware of the benefits of naloxone, Holt said. Knowing where the nearest naloxone boxes are, or having one in the home can save the lives of non-addicts as well, such as children getting into a parent’s prescriptions.

Regardless of the context in an overdose emergency, “we’re all human beings,” Holt said. “Just because someone chose to use drugs doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to live, that they don’t deserve a second chance.”

More information about the signs of an overdose, how to give naloxone and more safety tips can be found on the CDC’s naloxone homepage: (https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/naloxone/index.html)

Naloxone boxes can be found at:

Putnam County Public Library
103 E. Poplar St.
Greencastle, IN 46135

DePauw University
East Olive Street and South College Avenue
Greencastle, IN 46135

Robe-Ann Park
405 Bloomington St.
Greencastle, IN 46135

Reelsville Fire Dept.
7748 S. CR 625 W
Reelsville, IN 46171

Fillmore Town Hall
2 N. Main St.
Fillmore, IN 46128