Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention
Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention
Harm Reduction
Polk County Health and Human Services Agency (Polk County HHSA) strives for all persons who live, work and play in Polk County to have healthy outcomes. Often times this means thinking about what harms our community members face. Harm reduction, in a very basic sense is determining how best to decrease a behavior that can lead to disease, injury or death. We do this everyday when we buckle-up in the car, put on our helmets when riding a bicycle, avoid tobacco use, etc.
Harm reduction efforts are designed to you and those around us safer.
Overdose Prevention
Polk County HHSA seeks prevent overdoses through out Naloxone Distribution Program - Overdose Reversal.
- Free Naloxone kits and prescriptions are available at our office 161 Walker St., Columbus, NC 28722 (828-894-2114)
- Polk County HHSA is currently partnering with community organizations to be distribution points for Naloxone. If you are interested in partnering, email us to learn more --> Click Here
- Naloxone can be effective in reversing an opioid overdose, like prescription pain killers (oxycodone, methadone) and heroin.
- Naloxone Kit/Overdose Rescue Kit
- A UV-resistant waterproof bag containing two doses of nasal spray naloxone (one box),
- one pair of gloves,
- one CPR face shield,
- required overdose response and naloxone administration education, and
- local mental health/substance use cessation resources.
- Training on how to give Naloxone is available when you pick up a kit.
- If your kit expires or you need a new one, call 828-894-2114.
Alliance Health Naloxone Resource Guide
- This guide is geared towards providers, but contains useful information: https://www.alliancehealthplan.org/providers/network/program-resources/medical-and-pharmaceuticals/naloxone-resource-guide/
- This toolkit is intended for local health departments, coalitions, and other community organizations and includes detailed information on law and policy for Naloxone distribution. https://www.ncdhhs.gov/media/8091/download
- Answers to frequently asked questions about Naloxone from NC DHHS at, https://www.ncdhhs.gov/media/8092/download