County reports drop in overdose calls as Narcan vending machines and recovery housing expand

County staff told the Health and Human Services committee that January overdose-related 911 calls continued a downward trend and credited expanded access to naloxone while emphasizing the ongoing need for treatment.

"That average monthly average last year was 14.3 calls per month," a county official reported when comparing recent figures to three prior-year monthly averages of 38, 35 and 27 calls. The official said the availability of Narcan is "no doubt saving lives," but added that treatment capacity remains essential.

Public health and task-force staff described a local experiment putting naloxone in vending machines with other items to reduce stigma. "The person's taking Narcan has gone up because I think it's taken the stigma away from why people are going to those vending machines," a staff member said, noting machines in Liberty and Monticello also now dispense hygiene and wound-care kits.

County staff said the drug task force is coordinating prevention and treatment pillars and reported an incoming resolution to contract with Oxford House after that organization submitted an RFP; if contracted, Oxford House expects to provide 12 to 24 sober-support beds within a year.

Officials also described new crisis-response work: a local Scribe Intervention Team (SIT) pilot that would field mental-health responders rather than rely solely on law enforcement for mental-health emergencies unless there is a threat of physical harm.

There was no formal vote on the vending machines or SIT teams at the meeting. Committee members said they would track Oxford House contracting through the legislature and the county procurement process.