Staff: $27,000 of naloxone purchased; vending machines and events supplying weekly doses

A staff member identified as Sharp told the Public Health & Safety Committee on Tuesday that the city purchased approximately $27,000 worth of naloxone (Narcan) and is distributing doses through vending machines and community education events.

Sharp said the primary distribution channels are community educational events run by the behavioral health and wellness team and a vending machine operated in partnership with downtown organizations. "We own and operate one of the vending machines... They put 700 they're loaded 3 times a week. It holds 250 boxes, which are 2 units per box. So that's 1,500 doses a week they're going out of there," Sharp said.

The nut graf: The department framed the vending machines and event giveaways as complementary delivery methods to widen naloxone access in the community and to get doses to people at risk of opioid overdose.

Sharp said the staff also give away boxes at community events and that the public information office posts event locations; he offered to share the events calendar with committee members so they can publicize dates. Committee members asked that any public calendar or regular schedule be shared with council offices for distribution.

Discussion versus action: the briefing was informational; no formal vote or allocation was recorded. Sharp said additional shipments are on the way and that community events remain a primary way the department distributes naloxone.

Ending: Sharp offered to share the behavioral health calendar with the committee; the committee asked staff to forward the calendar to council offices and the public information office.