In the heart of Anchorage, the Narcan Education & Distribution service learning project is making a difference in the fight against the opioid epidemic. This initiative was spearheaded by MS3 Ariana Gross and is currently led by two dedicated MS2s, Lauren Culver and Ben Henderson. Together with the AK-WWAMI cohort, they are working to assist vulnerable populations grappling with the devastating consequences of opioid misuse.
Culver and Henderson, both passionate advocates for public health and community engagement, appreciate the need to respond in a way that directly impacts lives and drives change. As the leads of the Narcan Education & Distribution Project, they organize both the assembling of Narcan kits and their distribution to at-risk individuals living in local encampments.
“It has been a great way to mix the routine of school and get into the community. We have had a lot of positive responses to our work and felt welcomed into the environments that we visit,” Henderson said.
The Narcan Education & Distribution project works in partnership with Project Hope, a community organization with a mission to combat the opioid epidemic. The supplies are provided by the Alaska Department of Health. The Project Hope partnership also offers students the opportunity to participate in Narcan health education events at local libraries. In this setting, students gain experience in communicating effectively about the importance of naloxone. With their community partner, they were able to distribute 2,214 kits this past year.
In the coming year, the Narcan Education & Distribution Project hopes to expand its reach and efficiency. To reach this goal, Culver and Henderson will work hard to raise awareness and recruit new leads in the incoming Alaska MS1 class.
“In a perfect world, we would really want more boots on the ground to help increase our connection with neighboring encampments,” Culver said.
Moreover, they are in search of a faculty advisor who shares their passion for this cause, and who can provide the guidance needed to ensure the project’s sustainability and growth.
As the Narcan Education & Distribution Project continues to flourish, its impact radiates far beyond the boundaries of Anchorage.
The Narcan Education & Distribution Project is a model that is being replicated at other WWAMI sites. In Seattle, the University District Street Medicine was recently approved by the WA Department of Health to distribute Narcan at its’ six outreach sites. These projects are addressing a public health crisis and are a testament to the power of collaboration and student-led initiatives.