In efforts to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths and make Narcan more easily accessible to community members, DuPage County Health Department has opened the county’s first Narcan vending machine in the main lobby of the Linda A. Kurzawa Community Center (LKCC) at 115 N County Farm Rd., Wheaton. The Narcan kits are free and easily accessible to all from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The opioid crisis and use of other drugs remain a top public health concern in DuPage County. In 2021, DuPage County experienced a total of 137 total overdose deaths, a five percent increase from 2020. Additionally, 214 opioid overdose reversals were performed with the use of Narcan by individuals participating in the DuPage Narcan Program.
Kits in the vending machine come with a link to instructions on how to administer the Narcan nasal spray, how to recognize and respond to an overdose, and linkage to community resources for treatment and support.