PORT ORANGE, Fla. — The Volusia Recovery Alliance is working to give what's called a ONEbox to local businesses in an attempt to get Narcan out to those who need it.
Organization leaders say the goal is to curb opioid overdoses, and help save lives.
At Giuseppe’s Steel City Pizza, managers are trained on the ONEbox. Inside is Narcan, and the restaurant managers are grateful they have this resource available to them.
“It’s a good aid," Julie Mialki, owner of Giuseppe’s Steel City Pizza, said. "We had a few customers, one as recently as about four months ago, that had an episode where 911 was called in and they came. We had to take care of that, where this could have probably helped.”
Karen Chrapek, the executive director of the Volusia Recovery Alliance, says any way they can spread the word about opioid addiction and how to save lives is worth it.
“You never know when you’re going to come across somebody that may be in an overdose situation,” Chrapek said.
Chrapek's nonprofit is working with the Port Orange South Daytona Chamber of Commerce to deliver these toolkits.
They’ve given out 114 ONEboxes to area businesses.
“Having this ONEbox in area businesses has been a great opportunity to help those businesses show how important their patrons are,” chamber president and CEO, Barbara Ann Heegan, said.
Chrapek’s message is help is out there for those that need it.
“I know as a person in long-term recovery, my life has changed over the past 42 years. I’ve become a productive member of society and I’ve been able to help many people,” she said.
Businesses interested in hosting a ONEbox can reach out to the Volusia Recovery Alliance.
Chrapek says funding for the ONEboxes comes from the Volusia County Abatement Council, which received money from the 2023 Florida opioid settlement.