FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lucy Connery, MPH
Marketing Coordinator, MATTERS
lconnery@mattersnetwork.org
765-628-8377 ext. 106
MATTERS Partners with the Town of Clarence Parks Department for Installation of Narcan Wall Boxes
Date: January 5, 2026
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The opioid overdose epidemic continues to impact communities in Western New York, claiming over 500 lives across the region in 2023 alone.1 Out of the ten counties in New York State with the highest rates of opioid overdose deaths and non-fatal opioid-related hospital events, four are in WNY: Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Niagara, and Erie.1 An opioid overdose can happen anywhere, and community leaders in Clarence, New York are expanding access to life-saving overdose prevention supplies.
The Town of Clarence Parks Department has taken proactive steps to improve access to naloxone (commonly referred to by the brand name Narcan) in public spaces. An opioid overdose can happen anywhere, and it is important to empower community members to respond to an overdose no matter where they are located. In collaboration with MATTERS – a division of UBMD Emergency Medicine – the Parks Department is installing eight naloxone wall boxes to make opioid overdose reversal medication immediately available to community members in need. By integrating naloxone access into everyday public spaces, Clarence is helping reduce stigma while promoting safety and awareness.
“The Town of Clarence Parks Department is committed to providing safe and welcoming spaces for our residents and visitors,” said Jason Holden, Superintendent of the Clarence Parks Department. “By installing eight naloxone stations throughout our parks and buildings – including concession areas, pavilions, and the clubhouse – we are ensuring that life-saving medication is accessible during large community events. We are grateful to Dr. Joshua Lynch and the MATTERS program for helping to bring these resources to our community.”
MATTERS is a Western New York-based agency that provides free naloxone wall boxes to organizations across New York State through funding from the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports. In addition to distributing free harm reduction supplies, the program also provides free opioid response trainings and can connect people with substance use disorder to long-term treatment in as little as 3 minutes. MATTERS’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joshua Lynch, applauds the Town of Clarence Parks Department for its commitment to public health. He stated, “MATTERS looks forward to partnering with additional municipalities and community organizations across New York State to expand overdose prevention efforts and promote naloxone availability where it may be needed.”
Agencies interested in ordering naloxone wall boxes can order them for free on the MATTERS website: http://www.mattersnetwork.org/organization-naloxone.
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1. New York State Department of Health. (2025). New York State opioid annual data report
2025.Retrieved from: https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/opioid/data/pdf/nys_opioid_annual_report_2025.pdf