Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) is pleased to announce the expansion of its naloxone dispenser box program with three additional locations in Whatcom County. These new boxes are located at:
- East Whatcom Regional Resource Center (EWRCC), 8251 Kendall Road in Maple Falls
- Bellingham Food Bank, 1824 Ellis Street in Bellingham
- Northwest Youth Services Ground Floor Drop-In Center, 2500 E Street in Bellingham
These new dispenser boxes expand the program, launched with the previously announced location at Ferndale Community Services, 5694 Second Ave in Ferndale. They provide free, 24/7 access to naloxone (also known as Narcan), a lifesaving medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The naloxone dispenser box program is designed to make naloxone accessible to individuals who may otherwise have no way to obtain it or who seek privacy and discretion when doing so.
Please visit the Naloxone Distribution Boxes page for an up-to-date list of all naloxone dispenser box locations and more information about the program.
“By adding more Narcan dispenser boxes in key locations, we’re taking a proactive approach to ensure that community members have immediate access to this vital medication,” said Shamika Brooks, Communicable Disease & Epidemiology Manager of WCHCS. “This expansion is part of our broader commitment to reducing opioid-related harm and saving lives in Whatcom County.”
Naloxone is safe, easy to use, and works by quickly blocking the effects of opioids on the brain, restoring normal breathing in individuals who have overdosed on opioids. It is safe to use even if administered to someone who is not experiencing an overdose, making it a critical tool in the fight against the opioid crisis.
Community members are encouraged to visit the website for more information on how to recognize an opioid overdose, how to use Narcan, and how to get involved in local overdose prevention efforts.
To learn more about overdose prevention resources, visit Whatcom Overdose Prevention.
