Twice Daily Combats Opioid Epidemic
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Twice Daily is taking steps to enhance public health and safety.
In collaboration with Fund Recovery, the retailer unveiled the Nashville's first-ever naloxone vending machine available at a convenience store. The initiative, located at Twice Daily's store on 1702 West End Ave., makes the life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication accessible to the community 24/7, free of charge.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, including local community partners and government officials, took place April 16.
"As a Nashville-based, locally owned business, we understand our responsibility to address the urgent needs of our community," said Dawn Boulanger, vice president of marketing at Tri Star Energy, parent company of Twice Daily. "It's been a privilege to partner with Fund Recovery to install Nashville's first naloxone vending machine available at a convenience store. This initiative goes beyond traditional convenience store offerings — it's about leveraging our location and accessibility to provide potentially life-saving resources to our guests and neighbors. We’re proud to be at the forefront of this innovative approach to combating the opioid epidemic in Middle Tennessee."
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What is naloxone?
Naloxone is an inhaled medication used to reverse an opioid overdose while it's happening. Naloxone vending machines, which provide the medications for free, can help people access doses quickly and reduce someone's risk of dying from an opioid overdose since the medication should be given immediately, according to Fund Recovery.
Since 2011, Fund Recovery has existed to break the cycle of mental health issues by addressing the funding gap of a person who is struggling and their recovery. Fund Recovery supports people struggling with mental health or substance misuse who cannot afford help otherwise. One of the ways Fund Recovery is helping specifically combat the opioid epidemic is by adding Padigus Naloxone vending machines throughout Tennessee and beyond. Twice Daily on West End Avenue was a place to begin, as Davidson County ranks more than two and half times the national average overdose rate, according to the organization.
"This is a monumental step in the right direction for the city of Nashville," said Ryan Cain, board chair of Fund Recovery. "No one is exempt from trials and tribulations in this life, and our volunteers and board members each carry their own past experiences and stories of behavioral health and substance misuse. We understand, and we're here to help provide the level of care and support everyone deserves."
Fund Recovery has partnered with REACH United, a national campaign to dramatically reduce overdose deaths, to bring free naloxone vending machines to local communities. Jeffery Simmons, a Tennessee Titans defensive lineman, serves as the campaign's face.
Headquartered in Nashville, Fund Recovery is funded entirely by donations from individuals and corporations. It has provided 1,000 individual grants, distributed more than $2 million in scholarships and supported more than 7,000 student-athletes with mental health support services.
Nashville-based Tri Star Energy was founded in 2000. It owns the Twice Daily, Sudden Service, Southern Traders and Little General convenience store brands, and supplies fuel to wholesale trade channels in 18 states. The company also owns premium coffee brand White Bison Coffee, including locations throughout Middle Tennessee and North Alabama.