Singing River Gulfport Hospital Joins Life-Saving Overdose Prevention Network with Naloxone Vending Machine
Singing River Health System is taking an important step toward preventing overdose deaths by expanding community access to life-saving resources. The installation of a new Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan) vending machine at Singing River Gulfport Hospital will provide free, 24/7 access to overdose reversal medication, which will help empower families, friends, and bystanders to act quickly during critical moments when every second counts.
A ribbon cutting to celebrate the installation will take place on Wednesday, December 3, at 10:00 a.m. outside the Singing River Gulfport Hospital Emergency Room.
Event Details
- What: Tackle Overdose Now | Naloxone Vending Machine Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
- When: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.
- Where: Singing River Gulfport Hospital – Outside ER Entrance, 15200 Community Road, Gulfport, MS 39503
This initiative, led in partnership with the Reach Impact Institute, Fund Recovery, Mississippi Public Health Institute, and New Vision, reflects Singing River’s unwavering mission to improve health and save lives. By expanding public access to free, life-saving overdose medication, Singing River continues its commitment to advancing the well-being of the Mississippi Gulf and strengthening community-wide efforts to address the opioid crisis.
“Building a healthier community means breaking down barriers to critical resources,” said Heather Porter, administrator of Singing River Gulfport Hospital. “By hosting this Naloxone access point, we’re helping ensure that life-saving medication is available the moment it’s needed because no family should lose someone when help could have been within reach.”
“This partnership reflects our mission to remove barriers to life-saving resources and support communities in their efforts to combat the opioid crisis,” said Anna Stewart, Executive Director, Reach Impact Institute. “By placing Naloxone directly in targeted areas of the community, we’re increasing access, reducing stigma, and giving people the tools they need to save lives.”
The vending machine dispenses Padagis Naloxone, which attaches to opioid receptors in the brain and reverses or blocks the effects of opioids. Along with the medication, educational materials are included to help individuals recognize the signs of overdose and respond effectively. Community members can access the vending machine 24/7 at no cost, ensuring that anyone, whether at risk of overdose or in a position to help someone else, can act quickly during emergencies when every second counts. A toll-free number is also provided on each box that links to a dedicated mental health professional in Mississippi that can provide support and guidance during a crisis.
“With this first installation on the Gulf Coast, we are meeting people where they are,” said Jan Dawson, Director of Substance Use Education, Prevention and Control, Mississippi Public Health Institute. “Our goal is to empower everyday citizens with the confidence and ability to intervene, because every life saved creates more opportunities for recovery.”
The new Gulfport location builds on Reach Impact Institute’s expanding regional network, which includes existing machines in Jackson, Mississippi, and Nashville, Tennessee, among others. This resource is designed not only for those at risk of overdose, but also for families, friends, and loved ones who may find themselves in a position to save someone’s life.
“The Reach Impact Institute is committed to helping communities build strong ecosystems that rescue, restore and recover,” said George Massengill, President, Reach Impact Institute. “Each of our vending machine installations reflects collaborative work with health systems, community partners, and recovery organizations dedicated to addressing the opioid crisis through accessibility, education, and compassion.”
Singing River Health System encourages community members to learn more about the signs of overdose and the steps anyone can take to help save a life. Together, we can reduce stigma, expand understanding, and continue fulfilling our mission to improve health and save lives, beginning with one person, one moment, and one act of compassion at a time.
To learn more about the Reach Impact Institute’s initiative to reduce overdose deaths, visit ReachImpactInstitute.org.