SLU Public Health Students Leads Effort to Create Narcan Distribution Effort in St. Louis
On the frontlines of the opioid epidemic in our community, Saint Louis University MPH candidate Brittani Nelson has created and is leading the Community Narcan® Distribution Program through the Saint Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH).
Nelson created this program as a part of the St. Louis County Opioid Action Plan. In her role, Nelson provides trainings to community organizations interested in learning more about the opioid epidemic, overdose signs and symptoms, and even distributing naloxone.
Behavioral Science and Health Education (BSHE) really solidified my interest in being out in the community and improving quality of life factors, addressing health disparities, and promoting awareness to let people know that resources are available in our community to people that look like me,” Nelson said.
Nelson and her colleagues are passionate about addressing a crisis that particularly hits African Americans hard in the St. Louis area.
“This program is my baby,” Nelson said. “It’s crazy to see something that I’ve worked on for months become a real thing to benefit the community.”
As of July 1st, a total of 309 Narcan® rescue kits have been distributed as part of the Community Narcan® Distribution Program. Out of that 309, 136 kits have been given directly to community members and 173 kits have been given to organizations in the community for secondary distribution.
Because of its effectiveness and critical timing, increasing naloxone availability to high-risk and high-burden populations is a priority for DPH and Nelson’s team.
The location for the distribution center was carefully selected, with much consideration to the impact of the community.
The community around the center includes Berkeley, Kinloch, Hazelwood, Bridgeton, Earth City, Ferguson, Jennings, Dellwood and Pine Lawn.
“Our North County community has been particularly impacted by the opioid crisis,” Spring Schmidt said.
Schmidt is the DPH Co-Director and an MPH candidate in the professional practice concentration. The John C. Murphy Berkeley Health Center was chosen because of the impact the opiod crisis has had in the North County community.
At the DPH Health Center, staff members provide a rescue kit to community members after going over the signs & symptoms of an opioid overdose and how to use Narcan®.
Naloxone (Narcan®) is a critical drug for treating opioid addiction as it helps reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and prevent those who may be at risk for an overdose. Individuals at high-risk of an overdose include those who have previously experienced an overdose, have had a period of sobriety (like individuals just released from correctional facilities), use by injecting, mix opioids with other substances, and change the amount or strength used.
In addition to the Berkeley location, the program has expanded to North Central Community Health Center and the South County Health Center. Nelson is also working on developing a mail-request option for the program.
“It is important that Narcan® is still available because social distancing guidelines for COVID-19 puts individuals at higher risk of overdose; for example, individuals who would normally practice safer use behaviors, such as not using alone, can no longer do so,” Nelson said.
With the combination of increased accessibility, convenient locations and education for those at risk, this program can make a lasting positive change in the community.
"It's great to see Brittani applying some of the community assessment and intervention development skills she's gained in the MPH program to such an important issue for the St. Louis community," said Anne K. Sebert Kuhlmann, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate professor in Behavioral Science and Health Education and director of the Master of Public Health Program
For additional information, contact opioids@stlouisco.com or visit stlouisco.com/opioids.
Naloxone is available to anyone who requests it at all three county health center locations. Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm, no appointment necessary. John C. Murphy Health Center, 6121 N. Hanley Rd., St. Louis, MO 63134, North Central Community Health Center, 4000 Jennings Station Rd., St. Louis, MO, and the South County Health Center, 4580 S. Lindbergh, St. Louis, MO 63127. For additional information, contact opioids@stlouisco.com or visit stlouisco.com/opioids.
College for Public Health and Social Justice
The Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice is the only
academic unit of its kind, studying social, environmental and physical influences
that together determine the health and well-being of people and communities. It also
is the only accredited school or college of public health among nearly 250 Catholic
institutions of higher education in the United States.
Guided by a mission of social justice and focus on finding innovative and collaborative solutions for complex health problems, the College offers nationally recognized programs in public health, social work, health administration, applied behavior analysis, and criminology and criminal justice.