24/7 Access to Narcan at Mountain Health Center
Santa Cruz Community Health Partners with Central Coast Overdose Prevention to Provide 24/7 Access to Naloxone (Narcan) in the San Lorenzo Valley
24/7 access to Naloxone (Narcan) is now available in the San Lorenzo Valley. A Narcan Now box, stocked with naloxone, has been installed outside the entrance to the Mountain Health Center (MHC), making this life-saving medication readily available to anyone in the community.
Opioid overdose is a serious public health crisis across the country, and naloxone is a proven and vital tool for reversing overdoses. The goal of making naloxone readily available is to reduce the number of opioid-related deaths in the Valley.
“We are grateful for this partnership with CCODP and for the increased access to naloxone in our community,” said Anita Aguirre, CEO, SCCH. “This Narcan Now box will provide a vital resource for individuals who may be experiencing an opioid overdose, and we encourage everyone to learn how to use naloxone in case of an
emergency.”
Santa Cruz County continues to see an increase in opioid-related deaths, particularly those involving fentanyl. From 2020 to 2023, fentanyl-related deaths in Santa Cruz County increased from 6 in 2020, to 62 in 2022, to 100 in 2023. Naloxone is a vital tool for reversing overdoses, and by making it readily available SCCH and
CCODP are working to reduce the number of opioid-related deaths in the San Lorenzo Valley.
The Narcan Now box is located outside MHC, 231 Main St. Suite A in Ben Lomond. It is equipped with a QR code that links to the CCODP website (ccodp.org/naloxonenow) where users can find information about naloxone, including how to administer it.
“We are committed to expanding access to naloxone at our Mountain Health Center in Ben Lomond,” said Dr. Rose Lovell, SCCH. “This Narcan Now box will provide a critical resource for our community and help to save lives.”
The public health effort is a partnership between Santa Cruz Community Health (SCCH) and Central Coast Overdose Prevention (CCODP).
Mountain Health Center
231 Main St, Suite A, Ben Lomond, CA 95005
Hours: 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday | Narcan access 24/7
Phone: (831) 427-3500
schealthcenters.org
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