The Marion County Health Department distributed 955 boxes of Narcan during the past fiscal year. That drew questions at this week’s Marion County Board meeting if the easy availability of Narcan was enabling those with drug problems.
Health Department Administrator Melissa Mallow understands the concerns but says their job is to save lives.
“I know why, basically, the uptick has happened,” Mallow said. “Before, you would have to come in. They’re embarrassed. They don’t want people to know that they need Narcan for themselves or for a loved one. Whenever we made it truly anonymous with the vending machines, they went, ‘okay.’ At the same time, we do have obviously homeless, I imagine who are getting it too for their needs.”
Mallow says they also have posted places available to get help for drug addiction. She notes the problem hits those of all ages and income, sometimes as a result of getting hooked on prescribed medication that leads to dependency on street drugs.
Marion County Coroner Claude Howell warned there would be many more deaths without Narcan.
“I don’t know if we’re enabling anybody, but I do know this,” Howell said. “The amount of officers that save people’s lives and the amount of people who save people’s lives with Narcan, it would be a major difference. I don’t know how we’d keep up with it if we didn’t have it. “
Board Chair and Centralia Police Lieutenant Steve Whritenour says he has brought back people more than 100 times by administering Narcan, many on multiple occasions and sometimes several times in a day.
“What happens after that fact, I understand, you know, yes, the treatment to do that, but at the end of the day, it’s our job,” Whritenour said. “Prior to us carrying Narcan or having the ability to have Narcan, or it was only available in an ambulance, and you’re sitting there doing CPR on somebody, the chances of survival on that were a lot less.”
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says there is help available to those who want to deal with their addiction.
“Until they want it, you’re not going to fix that problem, but we do have some services that are available,” Cripps said. “TASC deflection is a new program that got a large amount of funding. Anyone who wants the services, they can contact TASC, and they do have the funding for that rehab, or inpatient, or something like that. There is a need for it. On the other hand, when you Narcan somebody twice in the same night, or literally, this is their twenty-fourth dose since I’ve been in law enforcement, when is it enough when we’ve got diabetics who can’t get that kind of medication and so forth?”
Mallow says some of the uptick is also the result of some colleges encouraging students to bring Narcan with them to campus.
The Marion County Health Department has also started a free program to provide containers for the proper disposal of sharp items such as needles used in dispensing medication. Those who need a safe way to dispose of sharps can come to either health department office to get a container.
Mallow also announced they have partnered with Centralia Little Food Pantries to provide a convenient and accessible way to help community members facing food insecurity and other needs by placing Little Food Pantries at both the Salem and Centralia Health Department offices. She notes the public is helping in restocking the little pantries for those in need.
