Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention

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 every day 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 keep you and those around us safer. 

Overdose Prevention
Polk County HHSA seeks to prevent overdoses through our Naloxone Distribution Program - Opioid Overdose Prevention.

• Free Naloxone kits are available at our office, while supplies last, at 2881 NC 108 Highway E, Columbus, NC 28722 (828-894-8271)
  • 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 painkillers (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 828-894-8271.

General info on naloxone access in NC from Naloxone Saves:

• https://naloxonesaves.org/where-can-i-get-naloxone/

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/

NCDHHS Naloxone Distribution Toolkit

• 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

NCDHHS Naloxone FAQ:

• Answers to frequently asked questions about Naloxone from NC DHHS at, https://www.ncdhhs.gov/media/8092/download