MOSES LAKE — In a new effort to combat the growing opioid crisis, the Grant County Health District (GCHD), in partnership with the Grant County Board of Health, has installed a 24/7 naloxone kiosk at its Moses Lake office. The kiosk offers the life-saving overdose reversal medication at no cost to the public.
Naloxone, often known by the brand name Narcan, is a nasal spray that can rapidly reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. It is safe to use on both children and adults and has already been credited with saving at least 254 lives in Grant County between 2018 and 2023.
Nationwide, opioid-related deaths have surged over the past two decades. According to national data, the number of people who died from opioid overdoses in 2022 was 10 times higher than in 1999. Grant County has experienced a similar trend, with local overdose deaths more than doubling—from 15 in 2018 to 36 in 2023.
The new kiosk is part of a broader public health strategy to increase access to naloxone, especially in emergency situations where bystanders may be present. GCHD officials note that many overdoses occur with others nearby, and empowering residents to carry and administer naloxone can make the difference between life and death.
“Naloxone vending machines and kiosks help reduce barriers to accessing this vital medication by providing it free of cost, 24/7, in a convenient location,” the district said in a statement. “Studies have shown that communities with naloxone vending machines have seen a decrease in overdose deaths within the first year of installation.”
Theresa Adkinson, GCHD Administrator, emphasized the urgency of the crisis. “Our community continues to face the heartbreaking impacts of opioid addiction and overdose,” she said. “By installing this naloxone kiosk, we are providing people with a powerful tool to save lives. Whether it’s a friend, a neighbor, or a loved one, having naloxone available 24/7 gives our community another chance to step in and prevent a tragedy.”
The Moses Lake kiosk is one of several efforts underway in Grant County to address the opioid epidemic through education, prevention, and access to treatment. For more information on naloxone and where to find it throughout the county, visit https://everyonehasawhy.org.