'The need is there': Free Narcan kits offered at Racine Transit Center

 

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An Arizona man is facing federal charges after police intercepted a package sent to Racine with thousands of fake oxycodone pills and a deadly amount of fentanyl.

Edgar Almonte, age 27, is accused of shipping fentanyl via the U.S. postal service from Phoenix to Racine, Wisconsin, and faces a mandatory 10 years in prison and up to a lifetime term of imprisonment. Government agencies are now joining law enforcement in the fentanyl fight.

We took a look at what they're doing in Racine to help those impacted by fentanyl. The Racine Transit Center's got a new vending machine that gives away free Narcan kits, and a supervisor tells us it's getting a lot of use, especially after dark.

A state grant made it possible.

"You'll head back to all the regular vending machines, like soda and candy and things, and our vending machine is right next to it. So, for 53404 there's a number 24, so you go ahead and press 24 -24, and you would have your Narcan kit," said Sarah Clemons, community health programs coordinator, City of Racine Public Health Department.

The Narcan boxes could've been placed anywhere in Racine. Sarah Clemons says putting them here, at the transit center, was the right choice.

"The transit center is open from 6 a.m. 'til 9 p.m., which is much longer than our City of Racine Health Department is," said Clemons.

People are finding the machine rather resourceful.

"It's a good idea because, you know why - if you try to call the ambulance or something, they may come too late, but if you got Narcan right on the scene, everything should, you know, work out," said Marvin Hunter, Kenosha commuter.

"The 230 kits that we've already given out is way more than we normally do in a month, so we know that the need is there," said Clemons.

Racine police responded to 31 overdose deaths in 2022, and 35 in 2023.

"If you make Narcan available to everyday citizens and they have just a little bit of training on it, they too might have the resources they need to save a life," said Racine Mayor Cory Mason.

Coincidentally, Racine marked Transit Equity Day on Sunday to honor Rosa Parks. Mayor Cory Mason says just like Parks stood up for equal access, these boxes are serving the community by making them accessible to all.

"I mean access is a big part of civil rights. It's also a big part of public health. We want to make sure people have access," said Mayor Mason.

You can also access Narcan kits at the City of Racine Public Health Department offices.