Dearborn fighting rise in overdoses with NARCAN vending machine

Dearborn is fighting an increase in opioid overdoses by making NARCAN free and readily available. The city’s Department of Public Health has put a vending machine containing the overdose-reversal drug inside the train station.

Dearborn Department of Health Director, Ali Abazeed, says NARCAN saves lives.

“We want people to have NARCAN readily available, everyone should carry it especially if they have a loved one or friends dealing with opioid disorder.”

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud says that often the addiction starts with leftover medication in the home prescribed by a doctor. For him, getting the word out is key.

“What is most important is just communicating to the broader community that this is available and located here,” says Hammoud.

Data show that the hot points for opioid overdoses are along Michigan Avenue — not far from the transit center — which is why that location was selected.

“Those that stay along this strip at the hotels are the ones calling into the emergency hotline,” says Hammoud.

Officials will collect other overdose data and determine the best location for a second vending machine containing NARCAN.

Director Abazeed says helping people recover from overdoses and addiction comes free from judgement.

“This is our attempt to reach you. This is our attempt to show you that we have your back. This is our attempt to show you that we believe in you,” Abazeed says. “And when you’re ready to get the help and treatment that you need on your recovery process, we’ll be here for you.”