Committee discusses Narcan vending, ER Suboxone starts and church‑based treatment pilots

At the Sept. 16 committee meeting, Dr. Darius Ihinyancho described Connecticut efforts to reduce opioid deaths by initiating buprenorphine (Suboxone) in emergency departments and by making overdose reversal tools widely accessible.

“One of the things we've been doing in Connecticut is encouraging, training, supporting emergency rooms to provide Suboxone in the emergency room,” Ihinyancho said, describing ER initiation followed by linkage to ongoing care. He argued that, with naloxone (Narcan) and medications like buprenorphine available, many opioid deaths are preventable.

Committee members also discussed a pilot to install three vending machines that would dispense Narcan and first‑aid supplies. Chair Jewel Williams Johnson referenced a Staten Island program and raised logistical questions — location, concrete pads and community acceptance — as key factors for successful placement.

Ihinyancho and local advocates proposed nontraditional treatment sites such as churches, where trained faith leaders and church‑based health workers can offer telehealth and medication initiation in trusted settings. The committee asked presenters to provide more program details for potential local pilots.