POINTE COUPEE— Arbor Family Health is combatting overdose deaths by placing Narcan distribution boxes at public libraries around Pointe Coupee Parish.
Arbor Family Health has partnered with the Pointe Coupee Parish Government and Pointe Coupee Parish Libraries to bring unlimited access to life-saving resources. These are the first Narcan distribution boxes in the parish.
Similar boxes are already in place outside the libraries in West Feliciana Parish and in Zachary in East Baton Rouge Parish.
A recent high school graduate, Leila Ramos launched the free Narcan distribution points, called ‘Hope in a box.‘ The idea came about after she lost five family members to overdose deaths and attempted to buy Narcan for her own peace of mind, but she was too young. Since then, Ramos has been dedicated to breaking the barriers and stigma around Narcan.
In Pointe Coupee Parish, the boxes can be found at the Innis, Livonia, Morganza, and New Roads public libraries. In each box, there is free access to Narcan, Fentanyl testing kits, and educational materials on substance use and overdose prevention.
“This partnership is a critical step in reducing preventable overdose deaths in our parish,” said Jeanine Thibodeaux, COO for Arbor Family Health. “By expanding harm reduction access into our communities, we are equipping residents with the tools they need to save lives.”
The boxes will be regularly restocked and maintained, by Arbor Family Health to ensure availability to the communities.
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