MINNEAPOLIS — A single dose of Naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug can cost up to $25 over-the-counter. However, at the intersection of Emerson and Broadway in Minneapolis, it will be free, thanks go a marketing agency that took inspiration from 'The Little Free Library.'
That corner in Minneapolis is home to the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. According to Emilia Seay Allen, the Mission of Communications for the church, the intersection is a busy one.
"We have one of the bus rapid transit lines that goes through here, a lot of traffic on Broadway a lot of foot traffic, a lot of bike traffic," Seay Allen said.
So when the marketing agency SixSpeed approached them about mounting a Harm Reduction Box, or a 'Little Free Revivery' outside of their building, it was an easy 'yes.'
"Opioid addiction is rampant and overdose can happen all too easily," Seay Allen said. "And the easier we can make it and the more stigma we can remove from the needs people might have when they're suffering from addiction, the better."
Inside the Little Free Revivery, are boxes of dual dose Narcan/Naloxone in nasal spray form. There are also Fentanyl-detecting test strips.
SixSpeed's president Kevin Reilly said the availability of Narcan over-the-counter now is great, but it's still not cheap.
"It's still running about 50 bucks for a two-dose pack, it's still rather expensive," Reilly said. "But the trade-off is 50 dollars and saving somebody's life so we think it's worth it."
The box that will sit outside of ECMN is the second one from SixSpeed and Southside Harm Reduction. They have partnered in this effort. The very first box has been installed in St. Louis Park, near SixSpeed's offices.
The boxes being unlocked and accessible from the outside is by design. No need for any questions asked.
"Just having people carry it on them," Reilly said. "The vision is that if and when an incident happens and somebody needs it, and it's as close and on hand as possible."
SixSpeed and Southside Harm Reduction are working to fundraise to refill the 'Little Free Reviveries' as well as install more of them around town. If you would like to donate, you can do so here.