In a significant move to combat the opioid epidemic, Family & Children’s Services (FCS) has partnered with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) to expand access to free Narcan and fentanyl test strips in Tulsa.
FCS has just added their ninth Narcan Dispensing Box at Metropolitan Baptist Church (The Met) in North Tulsa. The box is stocked with free naloxone nasal spray, Narcan and fentanyl test strips designed to detect the presence of fentanyl in other drugs.
Allie Friesen, Commissioner of ODMHSAS, emphasized, “Our collaboration with Family & Children’s Services demonstrates our dedication to saving lives and combating the opioid crisis in our community. Together, we are proactively ensuring access to critical resources for those in need.”
Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a medication designed to quickly restore normal breathing in individuals who have overdosed on opioids such as heroin or prescription painkillers. Given the rising concern over fentanyl—a synthetic opioid increasingly found in counterfeit pills and substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana—having Narcan available is essenVal for anyone using or in contact with opioid users.
To unveil the new Narcan box and raise awareness about opioid overdose prevention, The Met held a community event on May 26, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at 1228 W Apache St. FCS mental health crisis and pharmacy staff were there to discuss the use of Narcan and educate attendees on opioid overdose prevention.
“Our vision is to be ‘the church that cares’ for the mind, body, and soul of our congregation and community. Toward that end, we are committed to partnering with FCS to eradicate the health disparities that plague north Tulsans,” said The Met pastor, Ray A. Owens, Ph.D.
Narcan kits inside the boxes contain two applications of Narcan, instructions on how to use the Narcan dispenser, and information on how to receive help with opioid addiction. Additionally, the boxes offer fentanyl test strips. Each box is supplemented with a QR code granting access to video instructions on how to administer the Narcan kits effectively.
Adam Andreassen, CEO of FCS said, ” Administering Narcan promptly can reverse the overdose, preventing death and allowing time for emergency medical assistance to be sought. Its rapid action and effectiveness make it a critical tool in saving lives during opioid overdoses. FCS is committed to offering our community mental health services and so much more. Free access to Narcan and fentanyl test strips is just another way we are doing this to help prevent overdose deaths. We are grateful to our Narcan Dispensing Box partners for helping us ensure that these lifesaving tools are readily available to Tulsans.”
FCS’s Narcan Dispensing Boxes are conveniently located at the following locations with more locations planned.
All locations:
- FCS Women’s Justice Team: 808 S. Peoria Ave. Tulsa, OK 74120
- FCS CrisisCare Center: 1055 S. Houston Ave. Tulsa, OK 74119
- Iron Gate: 501 W. Archer St. Tulsa, OK 74103
- FCS Pharmacy: 2325 S. Harvard Ave. Floor 4, OKC, OK 73108
- David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center: 300 N Denver Ave, Tulsa, OK 74103
- Fire Station 18: 4802 S. Peoria Ave. Tulsa, OK 74105
- Fire Station 23: 4430 E. 51st St. Tulsa, OK 74126
- JusticeLink: 211 W. Archer Street, Suite A, Tulsa, OK 74103
- Metropolitan Baptist Church: 1228 W Apache St.
Since 2021, ODMHSAS has distributed 249,635 fentanyl test kits and 48,7331 Naloxone doses to Oklahomans.
For a full list of Oklahoma’s Narcan Dispensing Boxes, or instructions on how to use Naloxone, visit fcsok.org/narcan or okimready.org. You can also order test strips and Naloxone through the site.
For more information on Narcan Dispensing Boxes or any other facet of FCS’s Harm-Prevention Strategies, contact FCS at 918-587-9471. For crises, call the FCS COPES/Crisis Hotline at 918-744-4800. In the event of an opioid overdose, always call 911, even if Narcan is administered.
