Two local longtime friends, Jim Barrett and Andrew Kamin-Lyndgaard, often spoke to each other about the opioid crisis. The pair wanted to find a way to help the community, particularly in terms of preventing overdose deaths.
Out of their desire to help, they created “Save A Life Stations”—containers stocked with Naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, fentanyl testing strips, and other supplies aimed at preventing overdoses and saving lives.
On average, one person died from an overdose every day in Hennepin County last year. Barrett hopes to reduce that number. “I just thought that for one thing, the availability of Naloxone was one of the biggest issues,” he said. “I was thinking about it and was like, ‘What’s the easiest, simplest way?’”
Save A Life Stations are made from old newspaper stands. Kamin-Lyndgaard said one Save a Life Station costs about $200 to make. He modifies and applies a vinyl wrap to the boxes in his garage.
Barrett is also hoping to make a smaller version that could be mounted on a wall, similar to an emergency first aid kit. The pair want the boxes to be as common as fire extinguishers or defibrillators, saying the supplies within the Save a Life Stations are just as likely to save a life.
“In 2021, it’s disheartening to note that bystanders were present at 46 percent of fatal opioid overdoses,” Barrett said. “Had they been equipped with Narcan/Naloxone and knew how to use it; lives could have been saved.”
Barett carries Naloxone with him everywhere he goes. While he has not had to use it yet, he wants to always be prepared—many opioid overdoses occur when people unknowingly consume opioids, either through drugs laced with fentanyl or counterfeit pills containing fentanyl.
Barrett hopes to place the stations anywhere there might be people. He said bars, libraries, and retail locations were a few spots he would like to see the boxes. Once installed, supplies can be ordered for the boxes by the hosting locations.
So far, Barrett and Kamin-Lyndgaard have produced two Save a Life Stations. One is located at the East Side Neighborhood Services building, and the other was given to Audua Pugh of the Jordan Area Community Council.
Pugh saw the Save a Life Station when Barrett and Kamin-Lyndgaard brought it to a community discussion on overdoses and harm reduction. She was impressed by the box and gladly accepted when the pair asked her to put up the Save a Life Station at the community center.
Barrett said orders outpacing production of the stations would be “a good problem to have,” and they currently plan to continue making the boxes for anyone who wants one.
Barrett recommends anyone who wants training on how to properly administer Naloxone to contact the Steve Rummler HOPE Network. In an emergency, there are also instructions provided by scanning a QR code on the side of a Naloxone kit that will detail its use.
Barrett and Kamin-Lyndgaard are considering their next move. Barrett says he is unsure if they want to make a business for Save a Life Stations, but hopes that seeing the kits will inspire others to create their own solutions to help combat overdoses in their communities.
For more info, visit bit.ly/SaveALifeStation.
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