Wayne County program aimed at reducing overdose deaths

GROSSE POINTE CITY — The opioid epidemic remains an ongoing concern, but now local residents will have a new weapon in their arsenal to stop deaths from drug overdoses.

As part of a program being administered through Wayne County, Grosse Pointe City just received a vending machine that distributes naloxone — better known by the brand-name Narcan — a nasal spray that can be used on someone experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose. City Public Safety Director John Alcorn, who made the announcement about the vending machine during a Sept. 16 Grosse Pointe City Council meeting, said the boxes with naloxone are “absolutely free.” He said Wayne County will restock the machine as needed.

“It’s open to all of the communities,” Alcorn said of the machine, which is located in the Public Safety Department lobby.

“That’s great,” Grosse Pointe City Councilman Christopher Walsh said.

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans announced this initiative in January. It’s being led by Evans and Wayne County’s Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services, and is being implemented by researchers with the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice at Wayne State University’s School of Social Work. The program is a first for Michigan.

“Fentanyl is a poison that’s taking lives and destroying families,” said Evans in a press release. “That’s why my administration is taking the lead on fighting this deadly crisis.”

According to county officials, data shows that overdose deaths have risen by 200% since 2013 in Wayne County. Data from 2021 — the most recent available — showed that four out of five overdose deaths in the county were due to Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid often mixed with drugs such as heroin.

“Too often, people suffering substance abuse disorder die because they lack the means of stopping an overdose in its tracks,” Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, director of Wayne County’s Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services, said in a press release. “Naloxone is a life-saving medication, one that should be available everywhere if we’re serious about fighting this crisis.”

County officials are hopeful that the machines will reduce the number of deaths due to drug overdoses.

“The impact of making these Naloxone vending machines easily accessible will have major impact across the county by saving lives,” Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell said in a press release.

Alcorn said anyone who’d like to get one of the boxes of naloxone can visit the City Public Safety Department, located at 17320 Mack Ave., during normal business hours seven days a week. There’s also a prescription drug drop-off bin in the lobby, so visitors can also get rid of unused or expired medication.

“It’s a great opportunity to drop off your expired narcotics and pick up a Narcan kit,” Alcorn said.

The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods offers programs and resources for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and their loved ones. For more information about the nonprofit, visit its website, familycenterhelps.org.

The nonprofit Face Addiction Now — formerly Families Against Narcotics — offers free in-person and virtual training sessions for the public on the use of Narcan. The next program will be at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Hype Recreation Center of Western Wayne, 4635 Howe Road in Wayne. To register or for more information about other upcoming in-person and virtual training sessions, visit faceaddictionnow.org.