Hundreds of boxes containing overdose-reversal drug to be installed across New Hampshire

New Hampshire public health officials are installing overdose emergency kits containing the overdose reversal drug naloxone in hundreds of locations around the state.The Department of Health and Human Services said as many as 75% of people who have died of opioid overdoses could have been saved by a bystander. They said that's why they want to make sure as many people as possible have access to a specific lifesaving tool. The kits are stocked with the overdose-reversal drug naloxone, also known as Narcan."Anything that we can do to lower the barriers of access to Narcan is a good thing," said Chris Stawasz with American Medical Response. About 700 Nalox Boxes will be mounted on walls in public places by September. Officials with DHHS said they would look at data about where overdoses are occurring and make sure these areas have boxes available. "A potential bystander could have the opportunity to intervene the way that someone could if there was a cardiac emergency," said Jennifer Sabin, state opioid response director with DHHS. "Think about an AED or folks who are trained in CPR." The boxes will be installed in places like hotel lobbies, bathrooms and municipal buildings."Hotels and motels are definitely top of the list or places where a lot of people gather and there's a large congregation of people. If it were up to me I'd put them on the street corners, I really would," Stawasz said. DHHS said people have been making requests for the boxes. "I already have folks in my inbox saying 'We want them. Overdoses have been happening in our buildings and we don't know what to do," Sabin said. Naloxone is also available over the counter.