For the Press Times
Edited by Melanie Rossi
GREEN BAY – To take action against the dangers of opioids and work towards preventing death in the Green Bay area due to overdose, naloxone dispensing kits will be permanently placed at three city buildings for public use in case of emergency.
Nalox-ZONE boxes are expected to be installed this summer at Green Bay City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson St; Green Bay Police Department, 307 S. Adams St; and Green Bay Metro Fire Department, Station 1, 501 S. Washington St.
Naloxone, which is also commonly known as Narcan, blocks the effects of opioids from the brain, quickly reversing overdoses and saving lives.
Each Nalox-ZONE box contains a rescue kit of two doses of naloxone nasal spray, a CPR barrier device, instructions and resources for local treatment and recovery programs.
“We are grateful to be able to partner with the Wisconsin Voices for Recovery to provide opioid overdose reversal kits in publicly accessible areas of our community,” said Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich. “The public health threat posed by fentanyl and other opioids is real and growing, and it’s important for us all to do our part to prevent overdose deaths among our citizens.”
“Naloxone is vital in our treatment of the many patients who find themselves in the grip of the opioid epidemic,” said Green Bay Metro Fire Chief Matthew Knott. “Our goal is to provide a critical lifeline to those struggling with addiction and provide resources for treatment and recovery.”
In 2022, the Green Bay Metro Fire Department and the Green Bay Police Department collectively administered 305 doses of naloxone, and according to the Brown County Medical Examiner’s Office, 46 people died in the city as the result of an opioid overdose.
“Across the nation, first responders are on the front lines of the efforts to protect the loss of life from fentanyl and opioid overdoses,” said Chief Chris Davis, Green Bay Police Department. “We are incredibly grateful for the efforts of the Wisconsin Voices for Recovery and the Nalox-ZONE program for working to save lives every day.”
The boxes were provided by Wisconsin Voices for Recovery.
To learn more, visit https://wisconsinvoicesforrecovery.org/naloxzone.