Mainline Health Systems will receive funding through the ARO-RP Naloxone Hero Program to expand access to naloxone throughout South Arkansas, increasing availability of overdose reversal resources for families and communities in the region.
The organization was approved for support through the Arkansas Naloxone Bank and will receive $14,208 to obtain naloxone for distribution efforts across Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Drew, Lincoln, Columbia, Grant and surrounding counties.
Funding through the program will support efforts running from May 18, 2026, through May 19, 2027, with a focus on overdose prevention, improving access to life-saving resources and reducing overdose-related deaths.
Naloxone is a medication used to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses when administered during an emergency situation. Increased access to the medication can allow family members, friends, first responders and other community members to provide immediate assistance while strengthening local emergency response efforts, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to expand access to Naloxone across the communities we serve,” said Ashley Anthony, chief Operating Officer of Mainline Health Systems. “This funding allows us to put critical, life-saving resources into the hands of families and community members while reinforcing our ongoing work to address substance use disorder through prevention, education, and timely intervention.”
Mainline officials said participation in the Naloxone Hero Program aligns with the organization’s broader mission of improving health outcomes and reducing barriers to care throughout the communities it serves.
In addition to naloxone distribution, the initiative will also support community outreach, educational efforts and public awareness initiatives intended to reduce stigma and encourage informed responses to substance use disorder.
Mainline Health Systems said it anticipates the initiative will increase community awareness, improve preparedness during overdose emergencies and strengthen collaboration with local partners throughout its service area as the program continues.
The organization said the effort reflects an ongoing commitment to community-based approaches focused on saving lives and supporting long-term recovery.
