Wheeler and its on-site partner, Genoa Healthcare, will provide information about Naloxone (NARCAN), a life saving medication used to reverse overdoses, and medication-assisted treatment for addiction at a community outreach event on Wednesday, September 23. A limited supply of Naloxene kits will be available, at no charge, for individuals who are eligible and do not have access to the life-saving medication, made possible by a grant from the American Savings Foundation.
Rates of opioid misuse and related deaths continue to increase dramatically in Connecticut, with an 18% increase in fatalities from overdose in 2019 compared to the previous year. Health care professionals from Wheeler and Genoa will be available to answer questions about MAT, outpatient addiction and recovery, pharmacy, and other services offered at the facility, including primary and pediatric care. Genoa Healthcare recently opened a full-service pharmacy for Wheeler patients at the location, filling all prescriptions and offering free medication delivery.
Fresh produce for Wheeler patients will be distributed in partnership with Holcomb Farm, as well as free hygiene kits to support health and safety amid COVID-19. Information for accessing and using NARCAN® also will be available in English and Spanish. In addition, the new “Change the Script” mobile resource van, an element of the statewide opioid prevention campaign managed by Wheeler’s Connecticut Clearinghouse and funded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, will be stationed at the event. Staff will share materials on opioid and other drug prevention, treatment and recovery resources, as well as a broad range of other mental health and wellness resources.
About Genoa Healthcare
Genoa Healthcare is a leading provider of behavioral health pharmacy, telepsychiatry and clinical services, serving more than 1 million individuals annually. Genoa’s 435 pharmacies are located onsite within community mental health centers in 47 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to the pharmacy in Waterbury, Genoa Healthcare operates sites in Wheeler locations in Plainville and Hartford. Visit www.genoahealthcare.com for more information.
About Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center, Waterbury
Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center at 855 Lakewood Road, Waterbury is a community health center offering a full array of primary care and behavioral health services for adults, children, and adolescents, including primary care and pediatrics; behavioral health outpatient services; treatment for addiction, including medication-assisted treatment; linkages to specialty and ancillary services like dental care; care management for adults; on-site Genoa Healthcare pharmacy and Quest Diagnostics laboratory services; prevention, health promotion, and wellness services; chronic disease management; Women’s health services, and more.
Recognizing the pressing need for life-saving treatment for addiction, the American Savings Foundation recently awarded Wheeler a $2,000 grant to expand the availability of NARCAN® at Wheeler’s 855 Lakewood Road facility.
Wheeler is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n).
Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial health insurance welcome. A sliding fee scale is available based on family size and income. No patient will be denied health care services due to an individual’s inability to pay for services. Learn more www.WheelerClinic.org/Waterbury