Sept. 6, 2024
MARSHFIELD – Marshfield Clinic Health System is helping families and rural communities grappling with substance use and abuse by supporting harm reduction needs.
Harm reduction engages directly with people who use drugs to prevent overdoses and the spread of infectious diseases, like HIV and hepatitis C by empowering them to make safer choices. Harm reduction programs address discrimination, stigma and ensure that people who use drugs have access to essential health services. Nearly 108,000 people in the U.S. died from drug-involved overdose in 2022, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Over the past year, Marshfield Clinic Health System's Center for Community Health Advancement (CCHA) used federal funding from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) and the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program to place a NaloxBox in 43 locations across rural Wisconsin to increase access to naloxone. NaloxBox is a clear plastic box that mounts to a wall and contains naloxone nasal spray (NARCAN®), gloves, a CPR breathing mask, and instructions on administering the medication and rescue breaths.
“Every minute is precious when a person overdoses, particularly in rural areas where emergency responders and hospitals are further away," said Meagan Barnett, CCHA's manager of Community Health. “Placing a NaloxBox in these community centers to make naloxone available can reverse an opioid overdose and save a life. Marshfield Clinic Health System recognizes the need to invest in substance use resources in our communities as substance use disorders and overdose deaths continue to increase."
The boxes were provided to 19 organizations in four counties:
Barron County (23 NaloxBoxes) – Rice Lake Area School District (9), Cameron School District (4), Turtle Lake School District, Cumberland School District (3), Barron Area School District (5) and Pregnancy Resource Center
Dodge County (7 NaloxBoxes) – Beaver Dam Unified School District (7)
Portage County (4 NaloxBoxes) – Evergreen Community Initiatives, Stevens Point Fire Department (2) and Town of Pine Grove
Rusk County (9 NaloxBoxes) – School District of Flambeau, Indianhead Community Action Agency Connections Store, Bruce High School, Hawkins Area Library, Indianhead Community Action Agency, Offering Hope Therapies, Inc., Rusk County Lighthouse, North Cedar Academy Boarding School, and Ladysmith High School
Marshfield Clinic Health System continues to provide opportunities to partner with communities in Wisconsin and Michigan on Naloxone Box installation. Non-profit organizations in our communities that focus on substance use prevention can also apply for funding to hold a sharps disposal event to reduce the risk of harm from used sharps. To learn more about both opportunities and to apply, visit https://www.northwoodscoalition.org/. Applications are due Friday, Sept. 27.
Harm reduction anti-stigma toolkit
In recognition of National Recovery Month, the Harm Reduction Saves Lives Toolkit is now available. This toolkit was created in response to many requests for resources that communities can implement. This toolkit aims to educate the general public on what harm reduction is and what resources are available in their community.
There are a wide variety of 'ready to use' resources including informational presentations, a billboard, social media posts, and more. Visit www.northwoodscoalition.org to access the campaign and begin the implementation journey.
“Our goal was to provide a resource for communities to foster stigma reducing conversations while providing the public with basic education around harm reduction," Barnett said. “Everyone deserves a chance to seek recovery, and harm reduction efforts will foster the ability for someone to do that, when they are ready."
