Revive Arkansas event will provide 15,000 free naloxone kits to Arkansas law enforcement
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Aug. 9, 2023) – On August 17th and 18th, Arkansas law enforcement may access 15,000 kits of free naloxone on behalf of the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) and the Office of the Drug Director (ODD). ARORP has allocated $675,000 worth of opioid settlement dollars to purchase these kits of naloxone for Arkansas city and county law enforcement.
Over 107,000 people died of a drug overdose in the United States in 2021, which is almost 300 people a day. Law enforcement is often first to the scene of an overdose, and equipping these first responders with naloxone means lives saved.
In a drive-through style distribution system, sheriffs and police chiefs will arrive in person to pick up enough naloxone kits for each first responder in their organization. Each attendee will be provided with reporting information, but the naloxone comes without strings attached. If a sheriff or chief of police is unable to attend, then they may send a proxy with a written letter in their place.
“Law enforcement is often the first on scene at an overdose,” says Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) Director Kirk Lane. “Naloxone is a proven resource, and we are proud to equip law enforcement to continue to save lives.”
Lane also notes that resources for naloxone are dwindling. Agencies must plan to budget for naloxone in the future as they would other medical supplies.
“Providing an opportunity for every county and municipal law enforcement agency to obtain Naloxone will absolutely equate to lives saved across the state of Arkansas,” says Arkansas Drug Director Thomas Fisher. “This event is also an opportunity to highlight the collective efforts of multiple organizations and agencies working together to make our communities safer. We are integrating public safety with public health.”
