Aspire Behavioral Health’s Change Center fights against Opioid abuse by providing overdose aid kits

ALBANY, Ga. – Aspire Behavioral Health’s Change Center in downtown Albany is lending a hand in the fight against Opioids with the introduction of these overdose aid kits.

Program Director, Alesha Burgman says that these kits are just starting to be installed in the Good Life City with one currently up at the Change Center on Pine Avenue.

And… that it’s available 24/7.

“What we know is that people are continued to be challenged with substance abuse. And, we know that doesn’t always happen between the hours of nine to five. And, so what we want to do is make resources available to anybody in the community. So that if they need it, they can always get to it. They can always have access to it,” said Alesha Burgman, Program Director, Aspire Behavioral Health.

That’s where these overdose aid kits come into play.

The kits come equipped with needed supplies, including drug testing strips, as well as Narcan to administer to those overdosing.

“We want to support individuals who are challenged with substance abuse disorder. So, the Change Center was presented with these O.A.K. boxes by Mobilize Recovery Across Georgia…” said Burgman.

However, Burgman says that these are only meant to stave off the effects of an overdose and that people should still call 9-1-1 in the event they need to use the kits.

Especially if Aspire is able to put these kits in more remote areas.

“I think it’s very important. Often times it can take EMS 20-30 minutes to arrive at an emergency situation, and if someone has Narcan there, it can keep them alive until help is available,” said Burgman.

Burgman says they’re still trying to figure out the location of a second location for an overdose kit in the city…

And, it’s important to start trying to place these kits in communities in southwest Georgia to do their part in minimizing deaths from overdoses.

“I believe that’s the difference between life and death. Where there’s breath there’s hope. And, we want to make sure everyone has another chance and be given another opportunity to make better choices,” said Burgman.

Burgman says that the location of a potential second source of overdose aid kits could be placed at Aspire’s locations on Slappey Boulevard or Palmyra Road.

Brian Roche reporting.

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