Chestnut Health Systems provide communities with Narcan Vending Machines 

By Devese “Dee” Ursery

[email protected] 

Chestnut Health Systems is providing people in Madison and St. Clair Counties with easier access to help with the high death toll of opioid overdoses.

According to a statistic given by Chestnut, in 2023, there were around 96 deaths in Madison County due to overdose and 66 in St. Clair County. More than 70 percent of those deaths involved opioids and most involved fentanyl. 

Due to the high death toll of overdoses in Madison and St. Clair Counties from opioids and more specifically those involving fentanyl, a program providing easy access to free help, no questions asked. Dan Hutchison, Associate Director of Community Health for Chestnut explained the importance of getting Narcan/Naloxone in the hands of those who  need it.

“The idea to place Narcan/Naloxone Vending Machines came about as a response to the continued amount of fentanyl related overdose deaths that are impacting our communities,” Hutchison said. “Having as many possible methods of getting Narcan into the hands of people who are using substances as well as into the hands of their family and friends is a major priority to help combat the overdose epidemic.”

Community members can access the machines during regular business hours in the following Chestnut locations: 2148 Vadalabene Drive in Maryville, 50 Northgate Industrial Drive in Granite City and 12 North 64th Street, in Belleville.

“Narcan/naloxone is a non-prescription medication and when used appropriately can block or reverse the effects of an opioid overdose,” Hutchison said. “The naloxone available in the vending machines is easy and safe to use. It might save the life of someone you know.

According to Hutchison the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, Illinois Department of Human Services has provided funding for Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution team, and we will be working to place additional vending machines in Madison and St. Clair County. “The fiscal year has just reset, and several area stakeholders have expressed interest in getting more Narcan/Naloxone into the community,” Hutchison continued.

The health departments in Madison and St. Clair County support the addition of the free vending machines and connecting the community with this harm reduction resource.

“Narcan accessibility is important for individuals,” said Douglas King, public health administrator, Madison County Health Department. “It can provide life-saving assistance during opioid emergencies.”

Hutchison said that Chestnut’s Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution team has been distributing Narcan/Naloxone in a variety of ways, typically triggered by a request from someone in the community. Having the vending machines in place allows people to access Narcan/Naloxone with no questions asked, which helps alleviate concerns related to stigma that can discourage or even prevent people from asking for help.

For several years, the OEND team has distributed Narcan/naloxone to anyone in the community for free. The vending machines increase access to this life saving drug to anyone who enters the locations. Anyone go into the listed Chestnut facilities and dispense two boxes of Narcan. 

For groups or individuals wanting to schedule training or request more than two boxes of Narcan/naloxone they can contact the Chestnut OEND team at 618- 512-1781, email [email protected], or visit  www.chestnut.org/narcan.

“Fentanyl and other opioids have robbed many families of a loved one and it is our hope that increasing access to Narcan/Naloxone will allow people to not just live, but also have the opportunity to access recovery,” Hutchison said.