SWODA Press Release
Beckham County – SWODA is proud to announce a significant partnership with Great Plains Regional Medical Center. The partnership placed a Naloxone vending machine at the Emergency Room entrance of the hospital, providing 24-hour, low-barrier access to this lifesaving medication.
The partnership is possible because South Western Oklahoma Development Authority has received grant funding from the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board. The Board, part of the Attorney General’s Office, wants the funds to be used to decrease the impact of the current Opioid Crisis. SWODA hopes to increase resources and services that save lives and decrease or prevent illicit Opioid use.
With the first year’s funding SWODA chose to work toward Naloxone (Narcan) Saturation. “Naloxone saves lives by quickly reversing Opioid overdoses. If given soon after an overdose, Naloxone can restore breathing within a few minutes. Time is so important in these cases, so we want people to have easy access to Naloxone and know how and when to use it,” said Steve Berry, Project Director for SWODA.
“If your house is on fire you don’t go to hide the matches first, you put the fire out first. Our goal with naloxone saturation is to end overdose deaths FIRST! We understand that prevention, treatment, and recovery supports are incredibly important, and those strategies will be part of our future efforts.” SWODA relies on local partners to help get these resources and services in the local communities.
Funding for the grants is the result of a settlement agreement between the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office and prescription Opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Grants will be offered annually for the next 12-15 years. SWODA’s service area includes Roger Mills, Custer, Beckham, Washita, Greer, Kiowa, Harmon, and Jackson Counties.
“We want to thank Great Plains Regional Medical Center for partnering with us to help end overdose deaths in southwest Oklahoma. They are truly making a difference.”
If you want to help, make a difference in your community, contact Steve Berry. He can be reached by calling 580-562-5043 or by emailing steve@swoda.org.
