The two long-awaited settlement-funded naloxone distribution machines are operational in Dubuque this week.
The machines offer the opioid overdose reversal medication for free, 24 hours a day without the need to consult with someone to acquire it. It is one of the first major initiatives funded by Dubuque County’s money awarded from settlements of lawsuits against opioid manufacturers.
“We are really happy to be at the finish line and have these out in the community as free awareness and access centers,†said Carissa Brown, public health project coordinator at Dubuque County Health Department.
The two machines are located outside of Area Substance Abuse Council, 1940 Elm St. and Hillcrest Family Services’ Peterson building, 2485 Wilbricht Lane, which is directly next to the A New Day Clinic.
Christina Mensinger, an ASAC prevention specialist manager, said ASAC is a great location for a distribution machine because it is centrally located in downtown Dubuque and offers clients easy access to a potentially lifesaving medicine.
“We need to get out to where the people are and not wait for them to come to us. There’s a lot of stigma with actually asking for Narcan from the pharmacy or an individual, but having that there and knowing that our clients know where we’re at, it’s super beneficial for them to just have that access and reduce that barrier,†she said.
Mensinger said even for residents who are not clients of ASAC’s, having the machine outside of the office spreads awareness that ASAC is available as a treatment and recovery option.
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“For individuals who did not know where we were before, now they know where we are. It may not be the first time, it may not be the second time, but for them to know that we are there and ready for them when they’re ready for us, it’s super important,†she said.
Janae Schmitt, Hillcrest director of business development, said she is excited to see the machine operational after months of planning. Moving forward, she said, she wants to continue partnering with Dubuque County Public Health Department staff as the county continues allocating the settlement funds.
“I can’t say how excited I am to be having such deep conversations around this need in health care,†Schmitt said. “I keep thinking about how this is so many steps in the right direction.â€
Brown said the machine at Hillcrest was installed and stocked last week and the ASAC machine was stocked this week. In that short time, she has heard good things so far and is excited to gather more data on the machines’ success.
As part of the initiative, the county will also place six smaller boxes of free naloxone throughout the county outside of the city of Dubuque. Brown said those will be out soon, but final details are still being ironed out.
Two have confirmed locations, with one going to Sherrill and one to Luxemburg. The other four locations are mostly decided but just awaiting final paperwork to be official, she said.
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