Punxsutawney Area Hospital Partners with Clearfield Jefferson Drug & Alcohol Commission

Punxsutawney Area Hospital (PAH), in partnership with the Clearfield Jefferson Drug & Alcohol Commission, is taking another step to support the health and safety of the community by installing a free public Naloxone (NARCAN®) vending machine outside the hospital.
The vending machine is located near the Emergency Department and Outpatient Entrance, providing convenient, around-the-clock access to Naloxone for anyone who may need it. All items in the machine will be available free of charge, with no prescription required.  “The vending machine was made possible through the joint efforts of Punxsutawney Hospital, the Clearfield-Jefferson Drug and Alcohol Commission, and the Clearfield-Jefferson Overdose Task Force.  No one should have to wonder where they can turn when they need a lifesaving resource.  By working together with our partners at the Punxsutawney Hospital, we are making naloxone more readily available to individuals, families, and community members", stated Chris Grunthaner, Executive Director of Clearfield-Jefferson Drug and Alcohol Commission
Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose when administered promptly. Available as an easy-to-use nasal spray, Naloxone is safe to use even if opioids are not involved and has become an important tool in reducing overdose deaths across the country.
"Expanding access to Naloxone can save lives," said Paula Spack, Vice President of Patient Care Services at PAH. "By partnering with the Clearfield Jefferson Drug & Alcohol Commission, we're ensuring this lifesaving medication is readily available to our community whenever it is needed."
Opioid overdoses can happen anywhere and often occur in the presence of family members, friends, or bystanders. Recognizing the signs—including a person who is difficult to wake, breathing very slowly or not at all, having pinpoint pupils, or blue lips or fingernails—and responding quickly with Naloxone while calling 911 can make the difference between life and death.
The initiative reflects PAH's ongoing commitment to improving community health and increasing access to resources that support emergency preparedness and substance use prevention. In addition to making Naloxone available, the hospital will provide educational opportunities for employees and community members on opioid overdose recognition, proper administration of Naloxone, and the importance of seeking emergency medical care following an overdose.
The public is encouraged to learn more about opioid overdose prevention through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "5 Things to Know About Naloxone" and the educational materials available from NARCAN®.
Through collaborative partnerships like this one, Punxsutawney Area Hospital continues to invest in programs that improve the health, safety, and well-being of the communities it serves. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, the Clearfield-Jefferson Drug and Alcohol Commission is here to help. They are available 24/7 at (814)371-9002.

Here are some helpful links:

Instruction Use

Narcan OTC Fact Sheet

Naloxone | Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Naloxone Frequently Asked Questions | Stop Overdose | CDC

Pictured:
Paula Spack, Vice President of Patient Care Services
Chris Grunthaner, Executive Director of Clearfield-Jefferson Drug and Alcohol Commission
Jennifer Henry, Certified Recovery Specialist, and Chair of the Clearfield-Jefferson Overdose Task Force
Brendan Couser, Director of Facilities Management