Coon Rapids and Anoka County Expand Access to Life-Saving Naloxone Kits

Coon Rapids and Anoka County Expand Access to Life-Saving Naloxone Kits

By MinneapoliMedia Staff

In a concerted effort to confront the ongoing opioid crisis, the City of Coon Rapids and Anoka County have significantly expanded public access to free Naloxone kits. This initiative—supported by the Steve Rummler Hope Network and the Anoka County Opioid Solutions Initiative (ACOSI)—is designed to put life-saving resources directly into the hands of residents. Kits are distributed, with no questions asked, at multiple community locations, ensuring that individuals can respond swiftly in the event of an overdose emergency.

Widespread Access Across Police, Fire, and Library Sites

Coon Rapids Police Department

• Address: 11155 Robinson Drive NW
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Coon Rapids Fire Stations (Daily, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.)

• Fire Station 1: 1460 Egret Blvd. NW
• Fire Station 2: 1199 121st Ave. NW
• Fire Station 3: 3150 111th Ave. NW

Anoka County Libraries

• All eight branches are now official Naloxone Access Points (NAPs).
• Kits are stored in a designated purple box near each entrance and are available during all library open hours.

The expansion into libraries reflects a strategic effort to make Naloxone available in spaces that are trusted, accessible, and widely used. A recent Anoka County Opioid Advisory Council meeting underscored the importance of this step, noting that a local teenager’s life was recently saved because her family had picked up a Naloxone kit from a library just days before an overdose.

The Role of the Steve Rummler Hope Network

The Steve Rummler Hope Network, a Minnesota nonprofit dedicated to preventing overdose deaths, is a central partner in this initiative. The organization provides Naloxone kits and training statewide, with the mission of equipping communities to save lives while connecting individuals to longer-term recovery support. By collaborating with libraries and first responder agencies, the Network is helping transform everyday public spaces into critical hubs for public health.

Free Naloxone Training Sessions

Alongside kit distribution, Anoka County is offering free public training sessions to ensure residents know how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. Trainings cover:

• Signs of opioid overdose
• How to properly administer Naloxone
• Immediate next steps to take until emergency responders arrive

Upcoming training sessions:

• September 20, 2025 (1–2 p.m.) – Crooked Lake Library
• October 18, 2025 (1–2 p.m.) – Northtown Library
• November 15, 2025 (1–2 p.m.) – Mississippi Library
• December 20, 2025 (1–2 p.m.) – Rum River Library

Participants receive a free Naloxone kit and a certificate of completion.

Building on a History of Leadership

This latest expansion builds on Coon Rapids’ longstanding leadership in overdose prevention. In 2014, the Coon Rapids Fire Department became the first fire department in Minnesota to carry and administer Naloxone, saving a life shortly after the program began. That same spirit of innovation continues today—moving beyond emergency response to proactive community empowerment.

Officials emphasize that Naloxone is not a cure for addiction, but it is an essential tool in a broader public health strategy: keeping people alive long enough to access treatment and recovery services.

“It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it,” said a Coon Rapids Fire Department spokesperson. “Every kit in the hands of a community member is another chance to save a life.”

A Community-Based Response to a National Crisis

Minnesota, like much of the nation, continues to see the devastating toll of opioid overdoses. By placing Naloxone in police and fire stations, libraries, and directly into the hands of residents, Anoka County is reshaping how communities respond to the crisis—removing stigma and barriers, and reinforcing the message that overdose prevention is a shared responsibility.

For more information about Naloxone distribution sites and training opportunities, visit coonrapidsmn.gov or Anoka County Opioid Response.

MinneapoliMedia