Published: 04/14/2026 | Author: Courtney Myers

A Chattanooga nonprofit is placing a free naloxone dispenser in Miller Park, one of the city’s most-visited public spaces. It’s a direct effort to put life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication in the hands of people who need it most. 

North Carolina boasts plenty of programs to battle opioid addiction no matter where you’re located in the Tar Heel State. But for family members who fear getting that call, a naloxone dispenser can mean the difference between life and death.

The Opioid Crisis in Chattanooga by the Numbers

The numbers behind this initiative are impossible to ignore. One recent study found that naloxone prevented at least 2,400 overdoses around Chattanooga in 2023 alone. That figure reflects both the depth of opioid addiction afflicting Tennesseans and the proven power of naloxone as a frontline intervention. The surrounding region around Hamilton County and the greater Chattanooga area have consistently ranked among the state’s harder-hit regions for opioid-related harm.

What Launch Pad Does and Why It Matters

Launch Pad is a sober living program nonprofit that received a county grant to fund a newspaper-style dispenser box stocked with free naloxone for those who can’t afford Narcan. The box will hold at least 10 packages at all times and sit in a shaded corner of Miller Plaza. The Chattanooga City Council unanimously approved the proposal. 

Launch Pad’s clinical director, Kelli Cruse, acknowledged that supplies will likely go fast at first, but that’s exactly the point. “We want this medication out to the people who are going to use it,” Cruse noted, adding that once people realize that it will be a permanent fixture, they’ll only take what they need.

As for concerns about potential misuse and side effects, Launch Pad leadership noted that the pros of saving lives outweigh any cons. “The risk of not having it is greater than the risk of having it and it being in the wrong hands,” Cruse pointed out. 

Fentanyl’s Role in the Overdose Emergency

The need for naloxone is great. Fentanyl is now the primary driver of opioid overdose deaths in all age groups, and naloxone has proven effective in countering overdoses. According to the CDC, nasal spray or injectable naloxone blocks the effects of opioids and restarts normal breathing in unresponsive overdose victims.

Furthermore, the medication has no effect on a person who does not have opioids in their system. Naloxone’s nontoxicity makes it safe for bystanders, family members, and first responders to carry and use without fear of causing harm.

A Growing Trend Across Tennessee and the U.S.

Chattanooga isn’t alone in this approach. Naloxone dispensers and kiosks have become popular devices in Nashville, Knoxville and other cities for their practicality, including in music venues and bars as part of first aid response.

Public health agencies and nonprofit partners across the country are deploying dispensers. Cities in California, Kentucky, and Iowa have made naloxone available in public spaces such as train stations and college campuses. The number has exploded from an estimated 80 nationwide in 2022 to hundreds today.

Harm Reduction and Opioid Treatment Options in Chattanooga

Remember that naloxone is a bridge, not a treatment for opioid addiction itself. For those struggling with opioid addiction in the Chattanooga area, several pathways to recovery exist alongside harm reduction tools like this dispenser. Even something as basic as attending a Narcotics Anonymous class can connect you with peers who understand your condition.
If you or someone you love is at risk of opioid addiction or an overdose, browse our directory for a nearby support group that fits your needs or call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) to start the battle against narcotics in your life.