Looking for addiction news? Go to the addiction experts.
Avenues Recovery Center is a drug and alcohol rehab in Colorado with fifteen locations across seven states. Our state blog offers the latest on all addiction-related news in Colorado, keeping you updated on the rise and fall of current events in your area.
In Mesa County, Colorado, an innovative program is making a life-saving drug more accessible than ever before. Since December 2024, the community has seen small kiosks—similar to newspaper boxes—installed across the county. These kiosks are stocked with naloxone, the opioid overdose-reversing drug, offering free, anonymous access to the life-saving medication.
CPR news noted that this initiative, a partnership between Mesa County Public Health and the Western Colorado Area Health Education Center, is designed to combat the growing opioid crisis, which continues to be a leading cause of death in the U.S. So far, 10 kiosks have been placed throughout Mesa County, with plans for two more. The kiosks, filled with naloxone nasal spray (often known by the commercial name Narcan), have already distributed over 1,200 free boxes.
The goal is clear: to save lives by ensuring that naloxone is readily available to anyone who may need it. Opioid overdoses, especially those involving fentanyl, can be fatal without quick intervention. By providing easy access to naloxone, the program aims to give people the tools they need to respond to an overdose situation before professional help arrives.
Lyndall Young, a nurse and instructor with the Western Colorado Area Health Education Center, explains that one of the key aims of the program is to reduce the stigma surrounding naloxone. By making the drug freely available and educating the public on its use, they hope to empower residents and create an environment where people feel more comfortable using naloxone when it’s needed.
For those unfamiliar with naloxone, Young emphasizes that it’s safe for everyone, from infants to elderly individuals. The drug has no negative effects on someone who isn’t experiencing an opioid overdose, so there’s no risk of harm from accidental administration. This makes naloxone a safe and essential tool for anyone to have on hand in case of an emergency.
The program has already seen success in other parts of Western Colorado. Last year, when the Western Colorado Area Health Education Center installed similar kiosks in Montrose and Delta counties, over 3,000 boxes of naloxone were distributed. While data on how many overdoses were reversed with the drug is not fully available, the organization has received reports from residents who have used naloxone to save lives.
As naloxone continues to be distributed throughout Mesa County, Young hopes to continue educating the public on its importance. She points out that opioids affect all kinds of people—whether they’re CEOs, stay-at-home parents, or college students—and that having naloxone available could be the difference between life and death in an emergency.
If you or your loved one are struggling with substance abuse, be proactive and reach out to us at Avenues Recovery for help. Our dedicated team of professionals are waiting to help you recover and live a beautiful life. Over 40,000 people have overcome their addictions through, Avenues Recovery, and you can too! Reach out today to begin your journey to sobriety in a warm and supportive environment.