More than 400 free ONEboxes are being made available to businesses, schools, libraries, restaurants, and other public spaces across the New River Valley to increase access to lifesaving overdose response resources.
The New River Valley Regional Commission (NRVRC) and the New River Health District, as members of the NRV Recovery Ecosystem, have teamed up to Paint the NRV Purple by distributing free, lifesaving ONEboxes throughout the region. With investment from Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties and the City of Radford, along with grant funding through the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority, the Recovery Ecosystem purchased 460 ONEboxes to make naloxone, the lifesaving opioid reversal medication, and other response supplies accessible across the region.
In August alone, the Regional Commission Community Health Team installed more than 200 ONEboxes in locations throughout the region including public libraries, schools, gas stations, bars, restaurants, hotels/motels, convenience stores, movie theaters, vape and tobacco shops, and other public spaces.
“As superintendent, there is no greater responsibility than doing everything we can to protect the lives of our students and staff,” said Robert Graham, superintendent, Pulaski County Public Schools. “Bringing the OneBox into our schools gives our team another critical tool to respond quickly in an emergency, and if it helps us save even one life, it is a very important resource for us to have. We are certainly grateful for the partnership we have with the Recovery Ecosystem and appreciate the support they provide to Pulaski County Public Schools.”
A ONEbox is similar to an AED found in many public spaces, but instead of responding to cardiac emergencies, it contains naloxone (Narcan), a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Each box contains a personal protective equipment kit with a CPR mask, gloves, and alcohol wipes. Video instructions play in both English and Spanish to help community members understand how to respond during an emergency.
“We want to make naloxone just as accessible and familiar as other emergency response equipment,” said Anna Champion, Program Administrator for Community Health, NRVRC. “By placing ONEboxes where people live, work, learn, and play, we can give our communities another tool to respond when every second matters.”
To request a free ONEbox for your business or public location in the New River Valley, complete the online request form or email [email protected] and let’s Paint the NRV Purple with lifesaving resources.
NRVRC
