The Muskingum County Health Department announced late last month the installation of two naloxone Barney Boxes at the first-floor lobby of the Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department and at the Genesis HealthCare System Behavioral Health Department in the outpatient lobby.
This collaborative effort between Genesis Healthcare System Behavioral Health Department and Zanesville-Muskingum Health Department provides easier access to life-saving Naloxone and educates the public about the need to carry it. Purchasing the boxes was made possible through the Integrated Harm Reduction grant, provided by the Ohio Department of Health.
“The concept of Barney Boxes was popularized by utilizing old, unused newspaper stands for a new purpose- distributing life-saving Naloxone. The Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department harm reduction team learned about these Barney Boxes through other county grantees in Ohio, and we wanted to provide some for our community. We have been working hard on educating the public on the importance of Naloxone and the many harm reduction strategies that are used in day-to-day life,” explained Health Educator Julia Zalmanek.
Naloxone, also known as Narcan®, is used to reverse a fentanyl overdose. According to a fact sheet provided on the Zanesville-Muskingum Health Department website, 69 percent of overdose deaths in 2024 involved fentanyl. It also shares that illegally made Fentanyl and drugs like it are the most common cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States.
“The importance of the Barney Box is to enable community members to access lifesaving naloxone discreetly, no questions asked. The cost of naloxone at pharmacies and the stigma around the purpose of naloxone can create many barriers. The Barney Box takes all of the barriers away,” stated Zalmanek, “It is meant for everyone in the community to utilize. Naloxone can save lives and should be a part of everyone’s first aid kit.”
For information about naloxone, please visit www.zmchd.org/Services/Harm-Reduction.
CAPTION: Monica Doan, Julia Zalmanek, and Stacy Highley pictured with one of the new Barney
Boxes. | CREDIT: Submitted
