Free Narcan harm-reduction kits and fentanyl test strips available at Manchester United Methodist Church
New Narcan distribution box outside of Manchester United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of Rev. Susan Hitts.
by Sara Swanson
SRSLY Manchester is announcing the installation of a life-saving naloxone distribution box at the Manchester United Methodist Church (located at 501 Ann Arbor St), marking an important milestone in the community’s efforts to combat opioid overdoses and reduce the stigma surrounding substance use. This free, accessible box will be available 24/7, offering naloxone (Narcan) — a medication that can swiftly reverse opioid overdoses — and fentanyl testing strips, empowering individuals to take proactive steps toward safety.
“Having Narcan freely available in our community is a game changer, and we want to greatly thank Reverend Susan Hitts and Manchester United Methodist for being the host location,” said Alex Duranczyk, SRSLY Manchester Coalition Director. “It not only empowers individuals to save lives in a moment of crisis, but it also sends a powerful message that everyone deserves dignity and respect regardless of what they’re facing. By providing these critical tools, our community is showing up to support those who need it most.”
Reverend Hitts explained how the church came to be the location of the new Narcan distribution box, saying, “Last spring, I was meeting with the SRSLY Manchester Board [on which she serves as the local clergy representative] and Alex said that she had just been speaking to the city about installing a Narcan box in the community. I asked Alex to tell me more about the need in Manchester. She said that Narcan saved lives from overdoses of certain narcotics and that the fastest-growing segment of overdose was in the elderly population who may forget if they took their medication and take multiple doses. Alex said that there was an organization that would install, maintain, and fill a Narcan distribution box at no cost to our community, but she was having trouble finding a location.”
Duranczyk went on to explain to Hitts that, while the city supported the installation, their only available location was near the police post and there was concern that due to the incorrect assumption that Narcan was only for those taking illegal drugs, people would be too nervous to go to the police station to get Narcan. In light of all of this, Hitts asked if SRSLY Manchester would consider the Manchester United Methodist Church as a location for the box.
Hitts explained, “We already had a food distribution box behind our church, we were easily accessible 24 hours a day, and the church has some privacy behind the building. As well, we have many groups of people who frequent our building, as we offer it as a no-cost location for community groups to meet. Any given month, we have people in the building for: worship, book/Bible study, senior lunch, senior yoga, AA, Girl Scouts, bell choir practice, Manchester Family Services food distribution, Shakespeare Club, community potluck, games, and onetime special events for the church or community. Furthermore, many families in our area and from neighboring communities come to our parking lot during sporting events. It seemed like the perfect location to connect with a large and diverse group of people so that a wide distribution of Narcan could occur.”
The SRSLY Manchester board was in support of the proposal, and that night Hitts met with the Church leadership board, who were also in support of the distribution box. She stated, “The request to use a two-foot square of our property in exchange for the possibility of saving the life of our community members or their loved ones made this the easiest ‘yes’ ever for both myself and the leaders of Manchester United Methodist Church.”
As opioid overdoses and drug poisonings continue to rise, there has been a 33% increase in all drug overdose deaths from 2020 to 2022, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department. In 2022 there were 80 opioid-related overdose deaths in Washtenaw County; 86% of those deaths involved fentanyl, and 75% of the deaths had mixed drugs.
Duranczyk added, “This initiative directly addresses the pressing need for harm reduction in the community. Accidental overdoses are often linked to drugs being unknowingly laced with fentanyl or improper use of prescription pain medications. Elderly residents may accidentally double their medication, unaware of the risks, while others may inadvertently mix medications. To combat these risks, SRSLY Manchester and 5 Healthy Towns Foundation’s One Big Thing, an initiative of community organizations partnering to focus on mental health, have partnered with the Recovery Opioid Overdose Team and Home of New Vision to raise awareness and promote harm-reduction strategies for both youth and adults in Manchester. Together, these organizations aim to prevent unnecessary deaths, reduce injury, and improve community health by educating residents on the dangers of opioid misuse and by making life-saving resources readily available.”
To learn more about Narcan administration and how to tell if someone is experiencing an overdose, scan the QR code below to watch a video for quick naloxone training: 
Installation of the Narcan distribution box last Wednesday. Kim Higgins (Recovery Coach with Recovery Opioid Overdose Team), Pastor Susan Hitts (Manchester United Methodist Church), and Alex Duranczyk (SRSLY Manchester Coalition Director). Photo courtesy of Pastor Susan Hitts.
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