The PULSE Coalition (Preventing Use, Loss, and Stigma Through Education) is promoting the use of free Narcan kits and providing education on how to respond to an overdose. The proactive group include students and organization such as the Chenango County Behavioral Health, Chenango Health Network, Chenango County Health Department, Commerce Chenango, United Way and many others. (Evening Sun file photo)

NORWICH - The PULSE (Preventing Use, Loss, and Stigma Through Education) Coalition believes prevention and harm reduction are strongest when the entire community is empowered with tools that save lives.

One of the most important of these tools is Narcan (naloxone), a safe, easy-to-use medication that can reverse an opioid overdose within minutes. Access to Narcan should never be limited by cost or availability, which is why we are committed to helping local businesses and community agencies receive it for free. Whether you operate a small business, manage a nonprofit program, run a community center, or serve the public in any capacity, having Narcan on-site is a simple step that can make the difference between life and death.

Through The PULSE, organizations can request Narcan kits or a wall-mountable Narcan metal box. The coalition can also help coordinate restocking Narcan if kits are taken, used or outdated. It also provides educational materials, stigma-reduction resources, and guidance on developing internal overdose-response policies. The PULSE is a coalition of volunteer members and organizations such as Chenango County Behavioral Health, Chenango Health Network, Chenango County Health Department, Commerce Chenango, United Way and many others. The group meets monthly to work on projects and share information. The PULSE can be reached at 607-386-9331 or by contacting the Chenango Health Network.

Other key organizations that supply Narcan include MATTERS (Medication for Addiction Treatment & Electronic Referrals), LEAF (Leading Education to Advance Futures), FORDO (Friends of Recovery Dedicated to Others), STAP (Southern Tier AIDS Program), CCBHS (Chenango County Behavioral Health Services), and ACBC (The Addiction Center of Broome County). These are just some of the agencies that can help link your business or agency to a free Narcan box or supply of Narcan that can be located in your office where you see fit. They also coordinate how to refill the box, supply additional information, provide support to individuals at your workplace, or provide education on a variety of subjects related to harm reduction and prevention services.

Bringing Narcan into your organization or workplace is not just an act of preparedness; it’s an act of compassion. This action signals to employees and community members that their lives matter, and that our county stands united in preventing overdose deaths. As a coalition focused on proactive solutions, The PULSE is committed to making harm-reduction strategies accessible, practical and community-driven.

We invite any Chenango County business or agency to partner with us. Together, we can strengthen our local safety net and ensure that life-saving medication is where it’s needed most — right here in our community. For more information, or to request free Narcan kits, please contact The PULSE. The coalition can help you or connect you with one of the agencies that can provide what you need. Let’s continue working together to keep Chenango County safe, informed and connected.

The PULSE is a teen/student-led coalition. Our work is based on the prevention of substance use. This gives our teens/students the ability to build leadership skills, improve public speaking, and set a positive example for peers within the Norwich, Sherburne-Earlville, and Unadilla-Valley school districts.

This is an opportunity with benefits not only for community improvement, but also for teens/students. It includes opportunities for teens/students to travel, build leadership, and gain community service hours that may be included in reference letters for college applications.

The coalition works to change and implement a code of conduct related to alcohol or substance use. It encourages teens/students to plan and implement community events, opens the door to new education and training options, and helps create a safe and healthy community for teens/students and future teens.

To learn more, visit:

The PULSE: thepulsecoalition.org.

MATTERS: mattersnetwork.org

FORDO: for-do.org/turning-point-norwich.

LEAF: leafinc.org.

Chenango County Behavioral Health Services: chenangocountyny.gov/188/Behavioral-Health-Services.

Chenango County Department of Public Health: chenangocountyny.gov/206/Public-Health.

The Addiction Center of Broome County (ACBC): acbcservices.org.

Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP): stapinc.org.

Persons with questions or requiring additional information may contact the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.

- Information from the Chenango County Health Department