LEXINGTON, Ky. — For those dealing with addiction and other obstacles, the holidays can be a challenging season. The Jessamine County Health Department (JCHD) is offering services to help prevent and lessen issues around Nicholasville.
The JCHD is a hub for many medical and social needs. Natasha Meadows, a harm reduction outreach specialist with the department, is one of many helping those who are unhoused and/or dealing with substance use disorder find safer measures to prevent and lessen harmful incidents. These may be spreading infections or drug overdose.
She has been with the harm-reduction program for almost a year and is also in recovery herself. During this time of year, people in these situations can be vulnerable, she said.
"Holidays, in general, can trigger someone.” Meadows said.
The program offers several outlets to prevent recidivism, those transitioning from incarceration and other support such as the opioid overdose reversal medicine naloxone. Right now, the department is training on how to use the life-saving nasal spray Narcan.
The JCHD encourages businesses, individuals and their loved ones to learn about Narcan and lessen those numbers, starting in their community. Gov. Andy Beshear's, D-Ky., 2022 overdose fatality report states there were more than 2,000 overdose deaths in the state.
“Whenever you have an individual that comes in here, you meet them where they're at, and you don't judge them," Meadows said. "Then you help them along the way. When they feel secure enough, then they can maybe get other treatment options such as methadone or Suboxone or go to a treatment facility.”
Working to make this environment resourceful and accessible for anyone in the area who may be struggling, the department has set up several ‘naloxone boxes’ around the city that are refilled regularly.