The Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC) is working to protect the Birmingham and Jefferson County communities from the ongoing opioid epidemic taking place across the country.

As part of a new effort to give drug users in the city and county a better chance of surviving an opioid-related overdose, the organization has introduced the ONEbox, a state-of-the-art emergency opioid reversal kit developed by the Drug Intervention Institute (WVDII) in West Virginia. The ONEbox contains two doses of intranasal naloxone—commonly known as Narcan—a medication that can rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. The kit also includes emergency video and audio training on how to administer naloxone.

“Last year in Jefferson County alone, overdose took the lives of 494 people,” said APC’s Deputy Director, Nichole Dawsey. “Each life is not just a data point; rather, each person was someone’s mom, dad, sister, brother, or child. Substance use disorder impacts everyone and requires a collaborative solution. APC is proud of this comprehensive approach involving all facets of the Birmingham community.”

So far, APC has purchased 100 ONEboxes for distribution in the local area.

The initiative to distribute the ONEboxes is being funded through the Opioid Settlement Funds awarded by the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

The Center for Addiction and Pain Prevention and Intervention is providing the Narcan used in the ONEboxes, while APC is serving as the lead organization for the project. 

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten