HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM: Free Opioid Overdose Reversing Kits on Sept. 14

By Press release submission

Sep 1, 2019

Henry Ford Health System issued the following announcement on Aug. 27.

Free opioid overdose reversing kits will be dispensed at 13 Henry Ford Health System pharmacies throughout the metro Detroit area on Saturday, Sept. 14 as part of a statewide effort to reduce the number of opioid overdose deaths.

The kits are limited to one per person ages 14 and older while supplies last. People are not required to register their name or other personal information to receive a kit. However, health care professionals and first responders are not eligible to receive one.

Henry Ford is among numerous pharmacies across Michigan participating in the event, billed as Free Naloxone Day. Naloxone is the name of the fast-acting medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. Common opioids are heroin, morphine and hydrocodone.

Naloxone is sold as a prefilled injectable syringe or nasal spray and can be administered by family members and caregivers. The naloxone nasal spray will be dispensed on Sept. 14.

The kits are being made available through federal funding administered by Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Based on available data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of fatal drug overdoses is estimated to have declined to 2,531 from 2,665 in 2018-19 in Michigan.In 2017 alone, 1,941 people died from an opioid overdose in Michigan.

“We’re committed to being part of the solution to help reduce the number of overdose deaths caused by opioids,” says Heidi Schultz, manager of ambulatory pharmacy operations at Henry Ford and a registered pharmacist. “This kind of public service effort can make a real difference in our communities across Michigan.”

Participating Henry Ford pharmacies and their hours are:

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Henry Ford Hospital, first floor main lobby, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit

Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, medical pavilion, first floor, 16151 19 Mile Road, west of Garfield, Clinton Township

Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, 6777 W. Maple Road, west of Drake, West Bloomfield

Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, 2333 Biddle, Wyandotte

8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Henry Ford Medical Center-Sterling Heights, 3500 15 Mile Road, west of Ryan, Sterling Heights

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Henry Ford Medical Center-Fairlane, 19401 Hubbard Drive, Dearborn

Henry Ford Medical Center-Ford Road, 5500 Auto Club Drive, Dearborn

8 a.m. – noon