“Each time I leave the house, I check my purse for my must-haves. Wallet? Check. Keys? Got ‘em. Naloxone? Always...
I know that on any given day during the deadliest overdose crisis in U.S. history, I could find myself in the position to save a life. And I always want to be prepared.  In 2020, we lost 93,000 Americans to an overdose. That’s a record.

But opioid overdoses don’t have to be fatal. Naloxone can reverse one in minutes, changing everything for a person in need as well as for the whole constellation of loved ones that surrounds them.

Almost six years ago, my little brother died from an overdose in the apartment we shared. If I had had naloxone with me that night, maybe he would have survived. The pain of losing him to something preventable never really fades. It just changes shape.
I’m only one person. I can’t save 93,000 lives. But I could save one life. And so could you.”

Jess Keefe
Director of Digital Strategy, Advocacy
Shatterproof
NC Data that supports the need for a community of first responders to assist with reversing opioid overdoses and having naloxone in every household.
Naloxone Saturation In The Community Almost Doubles Since Implementing Naloxone Vending Machines

​Since installing naloxone vending machines in the community at the end of March 2025, naloxone saturation has almost doubled.  Our community has seen a 184% increase in naloxone distribution since implementation.  Naloxone saves lives! If you do not have naloxone, please get your FREE naloxone from any of our 6 Naloxone Vending Machines around Wilson County! These boxes also contain Fentanyl & Xylazine testing strips, educational materials, and medication lock boxes/bags.  Find these machines at the locations listed at the right.
*RC3
*Wilson County Health Department
*Behavioral Health Group Wilson Treatment Center
*Wilson County Public Library
*Wilson County Department of Social Services
*MOMs (Moms on a Mission)
The main goal of this initiative is to reduce overdose deaths and it is fully-funded by a federal grant and Opioid Settlement dollars. Each box is stocked with free Naloxone, strips to test for the presence of Fentanyl and Xylazine, lock boxes for medication, educational materials and a ONEbox—an interactive, digital resource that provides step-by-step instructions for administering Naloxone, in both English and Spanish.
Mobilizing 
Wilson County for
Recovery with ONEbox

​The ONEbox (TM) is an emergency opioid overdose reversal kit designed to promote safety by assuring that individuals have life-saving, on-demand training when and where they need it.  
Mahalia Witter-Merithew places a ONEbox kit in a visible area inside Casita Brewing Co. The box is an emergency opioid overdose reversal kit provided by the Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition. 

Witter-Merithew said the brewery’s ONEbox kit has been placed on top of the nonalcoholic beverage cooler. It’s visible for any member of the public to use if a suspected opioid overdose occurs. 

“It’s like a first-aid kit for an overdose,” said Jeff Hill, Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition executive director. 

​The ONEbox kits were bought with Wilson County’s share of a multi-state opioid settlement.

Story and photo creds: Olivia Neely, Wilson Times​
Wilson Professional Services Treatment Center now has ONEbox!
 Wilson County Government has ONEbox in their building!
The coalition delivers ONEbox to the Stantonsburg community!
HUGE shout out to the Stantonsburg Police Department, Stantonsburg Dollar General, Hasty Mart BP Fuel Station, Tommy's Mini Mart, Lil Nick Nick Restaurant, Select Your Auto, North Carolina Tobacco Manufacturing, Stantonsburg Agri Hardware Store, Carolina Food Mart, Stoud's Towing and Repair, Best Towing, and Stantonsburg/Moyton Volunteer Fire Department!!
Each of these businesses now have ONEbox so they can save a life using Naloxone should an opioid overdose or poisoning situation ever occur near them!
Also an extra special thank you to Chief Rosario with the Stantonsburg PD for helping us get these distributed to all of these places of business!
Media Coverage
​Click the images to the right to see how Wilson County is utilizing ONEbox to become a community of first responders.
If you would like a ONEbox for your office/place of business or if you would just like to be trained on how to administer Naloxone to reverse an Opioid overdose, email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (252)991-7267.
The data chart below shows the prevalence of opioid use disorders and overdoses in Wilson County since January 2023. 
​Naloxone saves lives and gives patients another opportunity for the treatment they need to help them live the lives they and their families deserve.

BE THE 1 BEFORE 911


​
​Administering Narcan
  • If a person is unconscious, then call 911 immediately.
  • If you suspect an overdose, then administer Narcan immediately.  Don’t wait for EMS or another first responder.  YOU are the first responder!
  • Administering Narcan is covered by The Good Samaritan Law.  Therefore, there are no legal ramifications for administering it.
  • Narcan is safe for all ages.
  • If the person is experiencing an opioid overdose, then Narcan should awaken them.  If the overdose is from another substance, Narcan will not help.  However, it will not hurt either.
  • The person does not have to be completely unconscious to administer Narcan.  If they are semi-conscious or very difficult to fully awaken, then Narcan can be administered.
  • When EMS arrives, give them the empty Narcan container that was used.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS ADVOCATE FOR NARCAN TRAINING
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Wilson County Public Library Staff are seen here holding boxes of Naloxone that were given to them for free.  ​Thanks to the HRSA RCORP Grant (The Health Resources and Services Administration Rural Communities Opioid Response Program), the Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition and Wilson Professional Services Treatment Center are able to provide FREE naloxone administration training and FREE naloxone kits to Wilson County.
Pictured below is Naloxone Training at Wilson County Library with the Wilson County Health Department in May, 2023.
Training and Distribution Data for Naloxone in Wilson County, NC since September 2020.
Pictured above are Pharmacy Tech Students from Beddingfield High School being trained to use Naloxone.  Thank you to the Wilson Education Partnership for helping to arrange this opportunity for them.
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​Beginning in the Fall of 2025, every bus in the Wilson County Schools school district will be equipped with a ONEbox that contains life-saving naloxone.
WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING.....
​
"I am so glad I had the opportunity to participate in Narcan training because it now allows me to be properly equipped to address the needs of anyone who is experiencing an [opioid] overdose and ultimately help save their life."

"Narcan training was an insightful experience that brought awareness to the dangers of substance [misuse] in my community. It was beneficial to learn how to identify signs of substance [misuse] and administer Narcan nasal spray to save lives."

"I felt the Narcan training was extremely informative, and could save countless lives. I was shocked to hear just how common of a problem opiate addiction is in Wilson! I think everyone who has an occupation in the public eye should take this training."
WCSPC is proud to be part of the Wilson Education Partnership's Career Health Connections rotation.  This program is designed for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in learning more about careers in healthcare.  During their visit with WCSPC, students are trained in substance misuse prevention, naloxone administration and how the syringe services program works in Wilson County.
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​Naloxone Administration Training at Greenfield School, Wilson, NC
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​Naloxone Administration Training

at Barton College March 2025
Barton will use ONEboxes filled with naloxone on campus as necessary as well as equip Resident Assistants in the dorms and transportation drivers with them.
COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE NETWORKING
​"Since 2020, the staff of Wilson County EMS has distributed 235 Port Kits to members of our community and their families who experience an Opioid Overdose event. Our Post Overdose Response Team continues to focus on community outreach to those who suffer from substance misuse through follow-up calls and home visits." ~Kalif Ward, Assistant EMS Director, Wilson County EMS
COMMUNITY FAITH LEADERS ADVOCATE FOR NARCAN TRAINING
In January 2024, the coalition trained 17 faith leaders at Casa De Refugio church on how to use naloxone to save lives!!  Naloxone kits, medication lock boxes and at-home medication disposal kits were distributed to the families and individuals represented that day.  
¡En enero de 2024, la coalición capacitó a 17 líderes religiosos en la iglesia Casa De Refugio sobre cómo usar naloxona para salvar vidas! Ese día se distribuyeron kits de naloxona, cajas de seguridad para medicamentos y kits de eliminación de medicamentos en el hogar a las familias e individuos representados.
Far left, Amber Leclerq, Director of Wilson Professional Services Treatment Center (WPS), and far right, Stuart Small, Clinical Manager at WPS are seen with community faith leaders they trained in April 2021 at Impact Church of Wilson.  
“Jesus demonstrated His passion to save lives. We want to help save those suffering with chemical dependency so they can live another day to get the help they need.” ~Rev. David List, Senior Pastor, Impact Church of Wilson, NC
“The Narcan training and resources were good. I haven't had to administer it to anyone as of yet. But I did share the information with some friends with hopes that others would understand the need to be trained as well.”
Lorraine Jones-Whitfield, New Jerusalem Church-NJC, Wilson NC
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On August 15, 2021, in partnership with Wilson Professional Services and Impact Church of Wilson, Inc., the coalition trained 33 community members on how to use Naloxone to save lives!!  Their ages ranged from 12-72 years old.  20 Naloxone kits were distributed to the families and individuals represented that day.  

“I carry Narcan because I never know when God will put me in the right place at the right time to save a life.”  ~Impact Church Member

“I think carrying and knowing how to use Narcan is important because I can help save someone’s life and give them a chance at changing their way of living.” ~12 year old community member
 “I would like to thank Amber Leclercq and the entire staff at WPS (Wilson Professional Services), (RC3) Recovery Concepts Community Center, WCSPC (Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition), the staff of the St. John Community Development Corporation, Save-A-Youth program, and all the attendees of the Narcan Training facilitated by WPS at St. John Community Development Corporation. We had 12 attendees for this event and it was beneficial to the participants and the community. An array of community leaders were in attendance such as clergy, teachers, staff from the Hope Station, etc., and we look forward to sponsoring another event in the future. The knowledge obtained during this training was beyond measure and it will save lives. I would also like to acknowledge the medication lockboxes, cabinet locks, and medication disposable kits that St. John AMEZ church and St. John Community Development Corporation have received from the RC3, Recovery Concepts Community Center in collaboration with the Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition. These services among many have been a blessing to the church congregants and individuals in the community as a whole.   As the Executive Director of the St. John Community Development Corporation, Save-A-Youth program, and the Senior Pastor of St. John AMEZ church, I am honored to be a community partner with the Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition and the great work that they are doing within the Wilson community." 
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Lamont F. Foster, Sr., BS, Ed.D., MDiv, DMin
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​I was honored to attend the Narcan training on May 11, 2021. It was important for me to attend the training so that lives can be saved. I am thankful for the free training and supplies because sometimes my community gets overlooked as far as resources. I have not had to use the Narcan as of yet but it is reassuring to have the training and the Narcan available in case I am faced with that challenge. ~Cynthia Smith, member of St. John AMEZ church and staff at the St. John CDC, Save-A-Youth, Wilson, NC

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