“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” — John 10:10
In an effort to embody Christ’s compassion and respond to the very real suffering present in our community, Plainfield United Methodist Church, in partnership with Family Promise, has taken a meaningful step forward. We are honored to host a Narcan nasal spray distribution box—a small but potentially life-saving resource—on the northern edge of our property, adjacent to the church parking lot entrance off of Raymond Street.
Narcan, or Naloxone, is a non-prescription medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in moments. Much like a defibrillator or an EpiPen, it is designed to be used in emergency situations. It’s not a drug that enables use; it’s a tool that offers a second chance at life. Narcan has no potential for abuse, is not addictive, and is harmless if administered to someone not experiencing an overdose. It simply saves lives.
Each day in the United States, more than 225 people lose their lives to opioid overdoses. These are not just statistics—they are our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends, and family members. By offering Narcan in a publicly accessible way, we are helping ensure that the next person who finds themselves in a life-or-death moment might have a chance to live.
This effort is about compassion, not condemnation. People who use drugs—or those who love someone who does—might pass by our Narcan box and choose to take a dose home, just in case. That choice does not promote drug use. Instead, it promotes survival. It makes it possible for someone to stay alive long enough to find support, seek recovery, and be restored to the fullness of life they were created for.
This is not just a public health initiative. For us, it is an expression of our Christian witness. We believe in healing, not stigma. Restoration, not rejection. Life, not death. Jesus consistently reached out to the hurting, the struggling, and the outcast—and we seek to do the same.
As followers of Christ, we are called to stand with those in pain. Hosting this Narcan box is one way we say to our community: “Your life matters.” We believe in the sacred worth of every person and the possibility of healing for every soul.
Family Promise is providing and resupplying the Narcan at no cost, ensuring this ministry of presence and protection is sustained. We are grateful for their partnership and their commitment to the well-being of our shared community.
If you or someone you know could benefit from having Narcan on hand, please don’t hesitate to access it. Let this simple box be a reminder that there is always hope, always help, and always a community that cares.
For further information, we encourage you to read the Narcan OTC Fact Sheet and learn more about How and When to Use Naloxone for an Opioid Overdose.
Plainfield UMC Today 