Keene, NH — Cheshire Medical Center, a member of Dartmouth Health, is helping increase access and awareness to naloxone by distributing opioid rescue kits to public organizations in the Greater Monadnock Region.

The New Hampshire State Opioid Response team equipped every public health network in the state, including Cheshire’s Center for Population Health, with these kits, known as NaloxBoxes.

NaloxBoxes hang on the wall, just as other emergency equipment like first aid kits or fire extinguishers would. The kit includes naloxone—a life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication, also known by the brand name Narcan—gloves, a face shield and instruction on how to properly administer the drug.

John Letendre, the continuum of care coordinator for Cheshire Medical Center’s Center for Population Health, has been in charge of distributing NaloxBoxes throughout the Monadnock Region, with 36 put up since the fall of 2023. The kits can be found locally in libraries, public housing authorities, universities and mental health organizations.

Ideally, the boxes would be used as often as any other emergency kit would. But having them in place is crucial, as opioid overdoses can quickly lead to death if no one intervenes.

In addition to saving more lives, these kits also help reduce the stigma often associated with opioid overdoses by treating these incidents like any other bystander-enabled medical response.

“Saving lives with naloxone is a critical part of harm reduction,” Letendre said. “People who die from accidental overdose do not get a second chance at recovery. Most people do recover eventually with help, support and treatment.”

Anyone, anytime, can experience addiction—and anyone, anytime, can ask for help. If you or anyone you know is experiencing an addiction, call 2-1-1. You will be connected with a Doorway at one of nine trusted community hospitals, including Cheshire Medical Center, depending on your location. The Doorway will connect you to the supports and services and the level of care that’s right for you. To learn more, visit cheshiremed.org/doorway.