News & Discussion

CMHA-CEI and Ascension Pharmacy to Provide Free Narcan Kits to Prevent Overdoses in Lansing

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Rachel McCoy, Public Relations and Outreach Specialist

Cell Phone: 231-903-2952
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CMHA-CEI and Ascension Pharmacy to Provide Free Narcan Kits to Prevent Overdoses in Lansing

Lansing, MI - Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) and Ascension Pharmacy are offering free Narcan Kits, also known as Naloxone Kits, that are available for pick up at the Ascension Pharmacy, located at 812 E. Jolly Rd., Lansing, MI 48910 Suite 108. Prescription is not required. Hours for Narcan Kit pick up are Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM.

The objective for distributing Narcan Kits through CMHA-CEI and Ascension Pharmacy is to prevent opioid overdoses, but to also decrease the stigma surrounding overdoses and how they occur. “An overdose occurs when a person ingests too much of an opioid or a combination of opioids and other medications causing their breathing to slow or stop, which can ultimately lead to a deadly situation,” states Christopher Wolfinger, Ascension Pharmacy Manager, located at CMHA-CEI. With that in mind, overdoses can happen to anyone. Christopher continues, “Oftentimes overdose can happen by accident to individuals taking medications prescribed to them, or by others in the home if opioids are being used by a family member. It's important to have Narcan available even if you don't think you'll ever need to use it. The goal is to get Narcan kits out into the community because if you never think you'll need it, it's better to be prepared. You may find yourself in a situation where you can save a life even if it is someone you have never met before. Those are the scenarios we want the community to be ready for.”

When an individual receives a Narcan Kit, they will receive instructions on how to use and 2 Narcan nasal sprays. It is best to administer Narcan as soon as possible to an individual that is suspected of suffering an overdose and then call 911 immediately after. It is important to stay with the individual until help arrives as the Narcan only lasts about 15 minutes and the individual could go right back into overdose when the Narcan wears off.

According to Narcan.com, the signs and symptoms of an overdose are:

1. Unusual sleepiness and you are not able to awake the person with a loud voice or by rubbing firmly on the middle of their chest (sternum).

2. Breathing problems including slow or shallow breathing in someone difficult to awaken or who looks like they are not breathing.

3. The black circle in the center of the colored part of the eye (pupil) is very small, sometimes called “pinpoint pupils,” in someone difficult to awaken.

To learn more about our services and programs, please visit CMHA-CEI at www.ceicmh.org

About Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI):
The Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) provides, directly and through partnerships, a comprehensive set of person-centered, high quality, and effective behavioral health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services to the residents of this community