Harm Reduction Services
NKY Health provides judgment-free help and the necessary resources to Northern Kentuckians so they have everything they need to stay safe, reduce their chances of harm, and get the help they need when they want it.
Naloxone & Overdose Education
Naloxone (or its brand name Narcan) is a medicine that has been proven to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. Administered as a nasal spray or injection, naloxone attaches itself to the receptors in the brain that opioids are attracted to, reversing or blocking the effects of the opioids.
Training
NKY Health’s Harm Reduction Educators provide training sessions on administering naloxone to any individual or organization interested in the Northern Kentucky region. Contact HarmReduction@NKYHealth.org to schedule an individual group training.
Naloxboxes
NKY Health provides wall-mounted boxes containing naloxone and other supplies to schools and businesses around the region. Typically installed next to AED and fire extinguishers, these naloxboxes provide easy access to lifesaving equipment in an emergency. Contact HarmReduction@NKYHealth.org to learn more about the naloxbox program.
Mailed Naloxone
NKY Health mails free naloxone kits to anyone with a mailing address in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. ORDER YOURS
Overdose Dashboard
NKY Health maintains an Overdose Dashboard that chronicles the number of overdoses in each of the four counties in its region. VIEW DASHBOARD
THE IMPACT OF NALOXONE
When administered after an overdose, naloxone can counteract the life-threatening effects of opioid drugs and keep individuals who have overdosed alive until emergency medical help arrives. Watch the testamonials of four people who have experienced firsthand the impact of naloxone.
Syringe Access Exchange Program
We offer syringe exchange sites in Campbell, Grant, and Kenton counties that allow for participants to safely exchange used syringes for sterile ones. These programs reduce the threat of infectious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C, and allows us to connect with people who use drugs and offer treatment resources and other health services. Additionally, we provide safe disposal of used equipment, naloxone overdose reversal kits, referrals to treatment, pregnancy test kits, and testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, and syphilis.
Community Events
We are always looking to get out in the community. Check out the link below to find an upcoming event or request us at your event.
CAMPBELL COUNTY
Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
We operate our Campbell County program out of our mobile unit, which is parked on Highrise Drive, near the intersection of Churchill Drive and Grand Avenue in Newport. DIRECTIONS
GRANT COUNTY
wednesdays, 9:30am-11:30am and 1:00Pm-4:00pm
Located inside the Grant County Health Center, 234 Barnes Road, Williamstown, KY 41097 DIRECTIONS
KENTON COUNTY
thursdays, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Located inside the Kenton County Health Center, 1415 James Simpson Jr. Way, Covington, KY 41011 DIRECTIONS
Wellness Kiosks
NKY Health has installed wellness kiosks throughout the region that provide health and wellness supplies. These kiosks offer quick and easy access to some of life’s basic essentials. Utilizing the kiosks is anonymous, making it a stress-free experience. These kiosks house items such as naloxone, Covid tests, pregnancy tests, and other items based on availability.
Kiosk Locations
Grant County Health Center
234 Barnes Road, Williamstown, KY 41097
Northern Kentucky University Norse Commons
10 Campbell Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099
Leila Urgent Care
2940 Hebron Park Dr #101, Hebron, KY 41048
Drug Test Strips
NKY Health provides free fentanyl, xylazine, nitazene and benzodiazepine (benzo) test strips, which can detect the presence of the synthetic opioids, xylazine, and benzo, providing users with the knowledge of what’s in their drug supply.
Nitazene, benzodiazepine, and xylazine test strips are available only at Syringe Access Exchange Program sites (see locations above).
Fentanyl test strips can be mailed through our mail order program.
Drug Disposal
What to do with unused prescription medicines and syringes is a common question. Unwanted prescription drugs can be safely disposed utilizing one of two methods:
- Medication dropboxes, which are found at police stations or other public buildings. To find a disposal site near you, visit the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy website or the Department of Justice website.
- Drug disposal pouches, which deactivates medication and allows the pouch to be disposed of safely through regular waste disposal methods.
NKY Health can provide free sharps containers for unwanted or used syringes. Or, the fact sheet (see button below) offers home disposal methods.
HIV, HepC, and Syphilis Testing
NKY Health offers free, anonymous, and confidential testings of infectious diseases like HIV, HepC, and syphilis. We provide preventative measures to stop the spread of disease including syringe exchange and safer sex kits. NKY Health can also connect individuals to care for HIV or HepC treatment via referrals and connection to case management for wrap-around services.