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Winn Parish Medical Center asks Police Jury for $15,000 to distribute Narcan
Summary
Winn Parish Medical Center requested $15,000 from the County's Opioid Abatement Fund to supply naloxone (Narcan) at hospital discharge and expand community education, citing local overdose data and limited distribution hours at the parish Health Unit.
Ashley Files, CEO of Winn Parish Medical Center, asked the Winn Parish Police Jury on May 18 to approve $15,000 from the Opioid Abatement Fund to purchase naloxone (Narcan) for distribution to at-risk patients when they are discharged from the hospital.
Files said the hospital plans to give the medication to patients or family members at discharge and to maintain locked storage and distribution records. Medical staffer Jaqua James cited Rapides Foundation data saying "16 or 17% of Winn Parish residents have used opioids either illegally or legally" and noted that of 39 overdose patients who came into the emergency room in 2023, three died. James also said that when Narcan is prescribed, only about 4% of patients get the prescription filled, which is a rationale for direct distribution.
Files told the Jury the parish's only other distribution site is the Health Unit, which operates during regular business hours only; hospital distribution would make naloxone available outside that limited window. The Jury took the request under advisement; no vote or appropriation was recorded during the meeting.
