CHARLESTON, S.C. — Charleston County officials have launched a new initiative to make Narcan nasal spray freely and anonymously available to the public through purple newspaper stand-style boxes placed throughout the community, WCSC reported.
The program, a partnership between the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and the Charleston Center, is funded through the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund. Each stand contains up to 65 doses of naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, according to the report.
The stands are accessible 24/7 and are designed to reduce stigma around obtaining and using Narcan, according to Charleston Center Program Director Kelly Grobmyer. While overdose numbers have declined in the area, officials say the crisis remains present, making continued access to life-saving tools essential.
“The idea was to get them out into communities, maybe where people are less likely to ask for help, and maybe someone feels like they’re so much stigma, they don’t want to take Narcan if we’re out there with an event. So, this gives them the opportunity to freely take what they need without anyone’s judgment or concern,” Grobmyer said.
There are currently five naloxone stands. Two are located at fixed sites:
- Charleston County Sheriff’s Office: 3691 Leeds Ave., North Charleston (outside the Law Enforcement Center lobby)
- Positive Vibes: 3355 Rivers Ave., North Charleston
The remaining three rotate locations every two weeks, with schedules posted on the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office website and social media, according to the report. One rotating site is the Lincolnville Fire Department.
The stands are monitored by community partners and refilled as needed. Grobmyer said if demand and support grow, additional units could be deployed throughout the county.
