Founder seeks new location after Narcan box taken down

Steps of Hope Iowa has placed 60 boxes across 25 Iowa counties within the last three years — all of them continuously stocked with naloxone nasal spray known as Narcan. Naloxone is the medicine used to reverse an opioid overdose. The nonprofit’s founder says being asked to remove one recently was a first for her. No matter the number of boxes, Steps of Hope Iowa founder Ann Breeding always remembers how she feels when each one is placed.“I was super excited. I was super, super excited,” said Breeding. The box placed in November at the Casey’s near the Northeast 14th Street and Broadway Avenue intersection has provided a lot. “It was 136 doses that have gone out in two months, which does speak to the urgency and the need,” said Breeding. “The Polk County Sheriff was the one that suggested the area for the box.” That box is no longer there. Breeding says she was asked to remove it toward the end of January, a few months after she says she worked with someone at Casey’s about putting the box there. “What I was told was that it was a safety concern for employees, which the box was actually placed on the very far back side of the building, so I didn’t see how it would interfere with an employee at all,” said Breeding. “But then, at the same time, it doesn’t cause any risk. What it does is it prevents risk, and it saves lives.” KCCI reached out to Casey’s. A spokesperson shared the following statement: “When we became aware of the unit, we explained to the organization that it needed to be removed because we do not allow materials or equipment to be placed on our property without approval, and it does not align with our policies on solicitation and distribution. At Casey’s, we are part of the community, and we have clear giving areas that guide us on how we support and give back. We also take the safety of our team members seriously and they are trained to handle medical emergencies by calling 911.”“I don’t shame them. I do not,” said Breeding. “That’s not what I’m about. I’m about saving lives.” Breeding wants to reduce the stigma surrounding Narcan use, a stigma that stems from the belief that having access to Narcan promotes substance abuse. “It will save their life and it only enables breathing,” said Breeding. “That’s why you call 911, because this will wear off, and you don’t want them to go back into that overdose status.” Breeding is now looking for another space to put the box in the same area. Working with businesses, communities, members of law enforcement and others is a continuous part of her work to make sure no family has to go through what hers did when she lost her son. “That’s what it’s all about. It’s just helping people, loving people and letting them know that every life is worth saving,” said Breeding.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Steps of Hope Iowa has placed 60 boxes across 25 Iowa counties within the last three years — all of them continuously stocked with naloxone nasal spray known as Narcan. Naloxone is the medicine used to reverse an opioid overdose. The nonprofit’s founder says being asked to remove one recently was a first for her.

No matter the number of boxes, Steps of Hope Iowa founder Ann Breeding always remembers how she feels when each one is placed.

“I was super excited. I was super, super excited,” said Breeding.

The box placed in November at the Casey’s near the Northeast 14th Street and Broadway Avenue intersection has provided a lot.

“It was 136 doses that have gone out in two months, which does speak to the urgency and the need,” said Breeding. “The Polk County Sheriff was the one that suggested the area for the box.”

That box is no longer there.

Breeding says she was asked to remove it toward the end of January, a few months after she says she worked with someone at Casey’s about putting the box there.

“What I was told was that it was a safety concern for employees, which the box was actually placed on the very far back side of the building, so I didn’t see how it would interfere with an employee at all,” said Breeding. “But then, at the same time, it doesn’t cause any risk. What it does is it prevents risk, and it saves lives.”

KCCI reached out to Casey’s. A spokesperson shared the following statement:

“When we became aware of the unit, we explained to the organization that it needed to be removed because we do not allow materials or equipment to be placed on our property without approval, and it does not align with our policies on solicitation and distribution. At Casey’s, we are part of the community, and we have clear giving areas that guide us on how we support and give back. We also take the safety of our team members seriously and they are trained to handle medical emergencies by calling 911.”

“I don’t shame them. I do not,” said Breeding. “That’s not what I’m about. I’m about saving lives.”

Breeding wants to reduce the stigma surrounding Narcan use, a stigma that stems from the belief that having access to Narcan promotes substance abuse.

“It will save their life and it only enables breathing,” said Breeding. “That’s why you call 911, because this will wear off, and you don’t want them to go back into that overdose status.”

Breeding is now looking for another space to put the box in the same area. Working with businesses, communities, members of law enforcement and others is a continuous part of her work to make sure no family has to go through what hers did when she lost her son.

“That’s what it’s all about. It’s just helping people, loving people and letting them know that every life is worth saving,” said Breeding.