CDH and Health Care Partners Providing Free Naloxone Distribution

BOISE, March. 28, 2025 – Central District Health is partnering with several health care providers, treatment agencies and community-based services to provide more than twenty stand-alone Naloxone distribution containers or “Barney Boxes” in Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties.

As part of this collaboration, St. Luke’s emergency departments in Boise, Meridian, Mountain Home and McCall now have boxes stocked with free overdose prevention supplies in their lobby entrance areas. Community members can access the resources and educational materials at no cost.

The Barney Boxes contain free naloxone kits and are paid for with opioid settlement funds. Their purple color is a visual reminder of International Overdose Awareness Day, held each August 31 to remember loved ones who have died from drug overdose. These boxes make it possible for anyone to help save a life if they encounter a person suffering from an overdose by accessing a naloxone kit. Naloxone (Narcan) is a safe, effective, over-the-counter medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

Ten boxes were placed in 2024, another ten this year and CDH is aiming for ten more in 2026. Participating agencies that will house the boxes can also choose if they would like to stock xylazine testing strips, fentanyl testing strips, rescue breath shields and other educational items provided for free by CDH’s Drug Overdose Prevention Program.

“Naloxone is designed to be easy for anyone to administer, even without medical training,” says Courtney Boyce, CDH’s Substance Use & Behavioral Health Program Manager. “The nasal spray is very straightforward to use. Instructions are included on the naloxone box. CDH also provides training upon request.”

Anyone interested in ordering a naloxone distribution box or to explore other overdose prevention and rescue supplies provided by CDH, can view our storefront at https://cdh.idaho.gov/health/prevention-programs/drug-overdose-prevention-program/overdose-prevention-and-response-supplies/. Supplies are shipped for free to residents and organizations in Ada, Boise, Elmore, or Valley Counties.

To find a Barney Box near you, visit Naloxone Distribution Box and Sharps Disposal Locations. To learn more about prevention, recovery support services and treatment in Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley Counties, please contact DOPP@cdh.Idaho.gov.

About Central District Health
CDH, Public Health District IV, is one of seven public health districts within the state of Idaho, serving the counties of Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley. With a vision of Healthy People in Healthy Communities, CDH’s emphasis is on decreasing risk factors for chronic disease, improving quality of life and increasing the years of healthy life among residents.

Contact:
Stephanie Borders, Communications Manager
Office: 208-327-8639 | Cell 208-871-1712
sborders@cdh.idaho.gov | cdh.idaho.gov/news
Follow @cdhidaho (FB, Twitter & Instagram)

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