• By Todd Luck
• Posted Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Forsyth County looking for groups to host Naloxone Wall Units

Forsyth County Behavioral Health Services’ first naloxone wall unit has been installed at Smokey Shay's on Burke Street as part of initiatives to expand no-barrier access to the lifesaving drug naloxone.

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication that reverses opioid overdoes. Forsyth County Behavorial Health Services is providing 25 naloxone wall units, each containing 50 naloxone boxes, throughout Forsyth County with a priority on areas frequented by marginalized and minority community members and areas that frequently experience a disproportionate number of overdoses.

Housing Authority of Winston-Salem plans to have wall units installed in three of its properties this week: Crystal Tower, Sunrise Tower and Healy Tower. Agreements with other local organizations to host wall units are in the works.

Organizations that host a wall unit are responsible for monthly reports on the units, letting the county known when they need to be refilled and uninstalling them if the organization’s relationship with the county ends. Naloxone is provided by Forsyth County Government with no cost to the host organization.

Because opioids are found in illicit drugs and prescribed medication, along with the possibility that it can be found in counterfeit pills, everyone should be prepared with naloxone to reverse an overdose. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. Counterfeit medications, sometimes referred to as “fake pills”, can appear to be legitimate medication but actually contain fentanyl or other harmful opioids. Naloxone works very quickly and will not harm a person if they are having a medical emergency other than an opioid overdose.

“Naloxone should be available to anyone taking opioids and to anyone who may be around people who are taking opioids,” said Substance Use Health Educator Annie Vasquez.

Organizations or businesses interested in hosting a naloxone wall unit should contact Annie Vasquez at vasquead@forsyth.cc or 336-486-0103.