Health Dept. begins free distribution of overdose-treatment kits
“These harm-reduction kits will not end the opioid crisis,” said Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor. “But they may save the lives of individuals struggling with substance use disorder so that they are eventually able to enter treatment.” (Greg Campbell/The Daily Memphian file)
Known as the overdose harm-reduction program, the Health Department is now providing kits with two doses of naloxone and 10 fentanyl test strips at community events.
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Opioid Epidemic Fentanyl Shelby County Health Department Dr. Michelle Taylor overdose deathsAisling Mäki
Aisling Mäki covers health care, banking and finance, technology and professions. After launching her career in news two decades ago, she worked in public relations for almost a decade before returning to journalism in 2022.
As a health care reporter, she’s collaborated with The Carter Center, earned awards from the Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists and won a 2024 Tennessee Press Association first-place prize for her series on discrepancies in Shelby County life expectancy by ZIP code.
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