The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has installed a free naloxone dispenser in the lobby of its office, providing community members with around-the-clock access to the overdose-reversal medication.
The dispenser was made possible through a partnership with the Henry County Opioid Prevention Alliance and Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa.
Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is a medication used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The medication has become an important tool in addressing the opioid crisis by helping save lives during overdose emergencies.
The naloxone kits are available at no cost and can be picked up anonymously. The dispenser is located in the front lobby of the sheriff’s office, allowing anyone to take a kit without providing identification or answering questions.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, there were 172 opioid-related deaths in Iowa in 2024. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than 44,000 people died from opioid-involved overdoses during the same year.
Officials hope the new dispenser will increase access to naloxone throughout the community and encourage more people to carry the medication in case of an emergency.
