Free walk-up overdose response kits more common in Georgia after deaths increased in Macon
Overdose prevention groups have deployed walk-up medical aid kits scattered in high-risk areas in Georgia over the past year, and a handful of them are in Macon.
Dozens of boxes throughout the state hold free life-saving tools to help a person overdosing. They are usually hung on walls or fences outside of businesses, churches, hospitals, low-income or homeless housing, and other spaces where people may be susceptible to overdosing or lack access to care.
There were only about three boxes in Georgia in September 2023, according to Andy Gish, an advocate with Georgia Overdose Prevention. Now, there are 47, with four in Macon-Bibb County, according to a map by Start Healing Now, a volunteer-led long-term recovery organization. There are also hundreds of boxes spread across the US.
The local boxes are maintained by Macon Recovers, an addiction prevention and support center with River Edge Behavioral Health. Other organizations upkeep the rest of the state’s boxes.
Each contains fentanyl test strips, plastic CPR masks, gloves, directions on how to rescue a person who may be overdosing, and naloxone, commonly known as Narcan – an opioid overdose reversal medication.
Hannah Baker, a person in long-term recovery and supervisor of Macon Recovers, said the group refills the local bins twice a week.
They’re empty each time they do their rounds.
“That’s fine. We want them to be empty. We want them in people’s hands and being used,” Baker said during a Narcan training at The Rookery on Oct. 15. “We just connect people with anything possible to reduce those barriers to them being able to have a decent life.”
Anyone is welcome to walk up and grab the items anonymously, as there are deliberately no ways to check who takes from them.
“That’s the most important thing for us,” Baker said. “A lot of people will get scared off if they think they’re being tracked.”
That’s also why the boxes are located out in public, rather than inside a facility.
Narcan costs about $45 over the counter at CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Target, Walmart and other retailers. These walk-up kits, however, are free to take, and people can grab as many as they need, whether for themselves or to give to others who use drugs.
The containers are usually red and white, and read, “Overdose Aid Kit ... Call 911 and then administer the Narcan inside.”
There are four aid kits in Macon:
On the front porch of Macon Recovers at 595 Wimbish Rd, Macon, GA 31701
Behind a gray house at Centenary Community Ministries at 1235 Ash St., Macon, GA 31201
On a blue door at River’s Edge Behavioral Health at 175 Emery Hwy., Macon, GA 31217
On a fence outside of Depaul USA Daybreak at 174 Walnut St., Macon, GA 31201
Overdoses have not occurred at these locations in 2023 or 2024, according to The Telegraph’s analysis of records from the Bibb County Coroner’s Office. The rate of deaths from overdoses increased in the county between 2022 and 2023, the North Central Health District reported.
However, these spots were chosen because they are near populations at “high-risk” of overdosing or near heavy foot traffic, Baker explained. Their placement will be “a little bit more strategic going forward.”
“We are a recovery community organization that helps people access resources, whether they’re still in chaotic usage, seeking recovery or already in recovery,” Baker told The Telegraph. “We do advocate for harm reduction, so sometimes people are still choosing to pick up and use, and we want them to be safe. We want them to stay alive and keep breathing.”
This story was originally published October 21, 2024 at 11:31 AM.