Health Department expected to set up 39 more naloxone distribution boxes throughout Boone County
Alison Patton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services is rolling out 39 more naloxone distribution boxes throughout Boone County.
The Public Health and Human Services office, located at 1005 Worley St., is currently the only place with a naloxone box. PHHS announced the first box’s appearance on Tuesday. Boxes of the medicine — which is used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses — are available 24 hours a day.
Health Department spokesman Austin Krohn said more boxes will be set up with community partners, like the Reentry Opportunity Center.
The ROC has free naloxone available, but people have to ask for it. Program Director Jessica Chambers said people often feel ashamed for requesting it.
“Well, now they don’t have to ask,” Chambers said. “They could just open up the box and receive it themselves.”
Natalie Rice attended a “Save-A-Life” naloxone event PHHS held Thursday. Rice shared her mom’s story at the start of the event.
Teresa Rice struggled with addiction for 11 years and going in and out of rehab before she died from a drug overdose in June 2022.
“Narcan gave us five, six more times that we had with her, without those, I mean, she probably would have been gone when I was 11,” Natalie said in an interview.
Natalie now carries naloxone with her and encourages her friends to as well because it could save someone’s life.
Missouri drug overdoses declined in 2024 for the second year in a row, according to previous reporting. There were 1,450 drug overdose deaths last year, which is nearly 500 fewer deaths since 2023.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Boone County EMS used 147 doses of naloxone in 2023.