CASS COUNTY, Mich. -- Cass Family Clinic, an independent Federally Qualified Health Center serving Southwest Michigan, announced it was awarded a $13,000 grant from the Cass County Opioid Settlement fund to install three Naloxone/Narcan vending machines at its Cassopolis and Niles locations.

The machines will provide access to free opioid overdose reversal kits.

Clinic officials say the third machine will be installed at their Dowagiac facility when construction is complete later this summer.

“It’s proven that Narcan saves lives and reverses the effects of an opioid overdose,” said Cass Family Clinic Pharmacy Director Kevin Klipowicz. “We’ve already had to re-stock the Narcan vending machine at our Niles location since being installed in April – so we know there is a definite need for safe and effective overdose reversal medication in Southwest Michigan. With the support of Cass County Opioid Settlement funds, Cass Family Clinic is proud to equip residents in the communities we serve with this life-saving tool and potentially save more lives.”

Officials say opioid overdose is a leading cause of accidental deaths and has led to a decrease in life expectancy nationwide.

The Naloxone/Narcan provided by the clinic is a nasal spray drug that restores breathing by blocking opioids’ effects on the brain and has no potential for abuse.

The vending machines are in the foyer at the Cass and Niles locations and are accessible during clinic hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Cass Family Clinic locations include 261 M-62 North in Cassopolis and 1951 Oak St. in Niles.