Box by box, Chris Scott is hoping to tackle an issue facing far too many communities across the state. As a clinician at the Addiction Center of Broome County, he knows just how important Narcan kits can be in saving lives.

"Anytime you hear about someone overdosing, just know that that overdose could have prevented by the use of Narcan and to not have Narcan available when someone overdose is really a tragedy because this is a death that could have been prevented," said Scott.

He’s hoping to address that availability with these first-of-its-kind “Naloxe boxes.” Each unit is stocked with the overdose reversal drug, which is free to the public. Directions are listed on the side of the box, along with a QR code, that brings you to a training page.

Scott hopes these boxes are just the beginning.

What You Need To Know

  • Directions for applying naloxone, or Narcan, are listed on the side of the box, along with a QR code, that brings you to a training page

  • While this may not be a long-term solution, members of the addiction center believe it could curb the rise in overdose related deaths, and even longterm effects of a non-fatal overdoses

  • One box has been placed in the public defender's office, while another is set up at a local bar/cafe

"But we're talking bodegas, we're talking bars, convenience stores, restaurants. Anybody who is able to carry naloxone in their premises, they really should," said Scott.

So far, a box has been placed at a local bar and cafe, along with the public defender's office - a location that’s seen a rise in drug-related crimes.

"I think public defenders specifically we're serving the same population in some sense. So I think the partnership is just a great thing to have," said Amanda Lewis, clinician at the Addiction Center of Broome County.

"Broome County really doesn't have a crime problem. They have a drug addiction issue and we service almost all of our clients have drug addiction, drug misuse issues and it's really great that we can have a partnership with ACBC where we can provide naloxone," said Jonathan Rothermel, chief assistant public defender in Broome County.

While this may not be a long-term solution, members of the addiction center believe it could curb the rise in overdose-related deaths, and even longterm effects of a non fatal overdoses. And they plan to keep these units stocked, making sure no one is ever waiting for a kit.

"Most people think of overdoses in terms of fatality, someone passing away or losing their life. And in all actuality, there's a lot of non-fatal. But those non-fatal still have severe consequences," said Scott.

ACBC hopes to install more of the "naloxe boxes" across Broome County, with the addition of a "vending machine" at the bus station.