{"id":101684,"date":"2025-08-28T08:10:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T08:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/101684\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T08:10:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T08:10:17","slug":"more-narcan-vending-machines-installed-in-lawrence-to-expand-access-to-lifesaving-medicine-the-lawrence-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/101684\/","title":{"rendered":"More Narcan vending machines installed in Lawrence to expand access to lifesaving medicine \u2013 The Lawrence Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A grant that was initially meant to establish one more free Narcan vending machine will now support eight machines around Lawrence, and the first three were installed this week.<\/p>\n

Lawrence\u2019s Homeless Solutions Division received $200,000 in grant funding from Kansas Fights Addiction to set up one Narcan vending machine. A partnership with Schmidt Vending allowed the city to repurpose used machines rather than purchasing brand new, meaning the money will stretch to cover eight machines.<\/p>\n

Narcan or naloxone, the\u00a0FDA-approved<\/a>, over-the-counter nasal treatment, blocks\u00a0the effects of opiates<\/a>\u00a0on the brain and restores breathing. It\u2019s effective against all opiates and opioids \u2014 heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and similar prescription and street drugs \u2014 although some overdoses may take multiple doses to reverse.<\/p>\n

In addition to machines, the grant will fund the naloxone kits, fentanyl test strips, trauma-informed care training and more contracted staff, according to a city news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment identified<\/a> 33 opioid overdoses in eastern Kansas between March 9 and May 5. According to the Kansas Reflector<\/a>, \u201cDouglas County accounted for a majority of emergency department visits in the area, double what would be expected in a two-month timeframe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Increasing access to Narcan can help protect those experiencing substance use disorders while also addressing chronic homelessness in the area.<\/p>\n

The city and county\u2019s joint housing and homelessness strategic plan<\/a> said that \u201cData also indicated a high incidence rate of mental health and substance use issues within the population (of unhoused people).\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith these machines, we\u2019re increasing access to a vital, life-saving resource,\u201d Misty Bosch-Hastings, the city\u2019s director of homeless solutions, said in the release. \u201cThis project is a great example of community collaboration and innovation \u2014 with many partner organizations coming together in an effort to save more lives.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Find a free Narcan vending machine<\/p>\n

Here are the locations of the first three vending machines sponsored by the Homeless Solutions Division:<\/p>\n

Lawrence Community Shelter, 3655 E. 25th St.<\/p>\n

Homeless Resource Center, 944 Kentucky St.<\/p>\n

Heartland Community Health Center, 1312 W. Sixth St.<\/p>\n

DCCCA has a Narcan vending machine located outside the Lawrence Transit Central Station, 2315 Bob Billings Parkway. Naloxone nasal sprays are free with the entry of a zip code.<\/p>\n

People can request Narcan at the Lawrence Public Library ask desk.<\/p>\n

Kansas residents and organizations can also request a free Narcan kit from DCCCA and learn about how it works\u00a0at this link<\/a>. Kits come with a wallet-sized card that provides instructions on how to use them.<\/p>\n

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This post is by the Lawrence Times news team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you have news tips, questions, comments, concerns, compliments or corrections for our team, please reach out and let us know what\u2019s on your mind. Email us at Hello@LawrenceKSTimes.com (don\u2019t forget the KS!), or find more contact info and a quick contact form at\u00a0LawrenceKSTimes.com\/contact<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Get mental health help in Lawrence<\/p>\n

These resources are available 24\/7 if you or someone you know needs immediate mental health help:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Douglas County Treatment and Recovery Center: 785-843-9192; 1000 W. Second St. in Lawrence; trcdgks.org<\/a>
\u2022 Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center: 785-843-9192; bertnash.org<\/a>
\u2022 HeadQuarters Kansas: 785-841-2345; hqkansas.org<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:<\/a>\u00a0Dial 988; veterans, press 1
\u2022 SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator<\/a> and Helpline<\/a>: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)<\/p>\n

More coverage of housing and homelessness:<\/p>\n

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The City of Lawrence is seeking community feedback on a draft policy that details how the city will define and invest in affordable housing projects, what criteria developers must meet and more.<\/p>\n

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As Douglas County commissioners reviewed eviction prevention methods, presenters identified a need for greater public education on tenant-landlord issues, while representatives from Lawrence Tenants called for tenant right to counsel.<\/p>\n

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Share this post or save for later Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider approving [\u2026]<\/p>\n

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Since 2020, Lawrence has gone from staffing three animal control officers to one, and pressure has mounted for the Lawrence Humane Society and the public to fill in the coverage gaps.<\/p>\n

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Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday approved their 2026 budget, which lowers the property tax rate but will still increase property taxes for most residents. <\/p>\n

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More than 100 supporters of KU\u2019s faculty union lined the stairs outside Wescoe Hall on Wednesday to chant across Jayhawk Boulevard toward Chancellor Douglas Girod\u2019s office: \u201cGirod, Girod, you\u2019re one year late. When will you negotiate?\u201d<\/p>\n

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