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Boxes Containing Naloxone To Be Installed In Public Spaces

A naloxone kit, soon to be available for public use in social service agencies across Providence
Kristin Gourlay / RIPR
A naloxone kit, soon to be available for public use in social service agencies across Providence

There’s a new tool in the fight against drug overdose deaths in Rhode Island. Publicly available boxes containing naloxone, an anti-overdose drug, have been installed in various social service agencies in Providence.

Dr. Geoff Capraro, a physician at Rhode Island Hospital, helped design the so-called NaloxBoxes, which he likens to a fire extinguisher.

"In other facilities I think other people might have naloxone stored away in a desk drawer, but it might not be where it needs to be. It might not be known to everyone where that medicine is. So we want to make it in a proper place like a fire extinguisher. And anybody can use it and you could save your neighbor or loved one," explained Capraro.

The boxes hold four doses of naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of opioid overdose. The idea is similar to defibrillators or fire extinguishers: the boxes will be in public places, with easy to follow instructions. In the coming weeks more than 30 NaloxBoxes will be installed around Providence. 

Copyright 2017 The Public's Radio

Sofia Rudin

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