Stark County McDonald’s restaurants join the fight against opioids

Opioid drug overdoses have been a problem facing our county and Northeast Ohio.

Two local business owners want to use their Canton-area restaurants to help get life-saving resources into the hands of those who need them.

Franchisees Tom and Trey Locke, of Tomtreyco Inc., own and operate 15 McDonald’s restaurants throughout Stark County. The father/son duo are partnering with Canton City Public Health to host seven pop-up naloxone distribution events at their restaurants in September and October.

At these events, visitors can pick up naloxone (a medicine that quickly reverses the effects of a drug overdose) and information on other harm-reduction resources for free. Trey Locke was quick to note that there is no purchase from McDonald’s is necessary.

Why it's important to the Lockes and TomTreyco Inc.

The opioid crisis and overdose issue hits home for the Locke family.

“This problem has not only hit our community hard, but it's also hit our family hard," said 33-year-old Trey Locke, local McDonald's owner/operator. "We lost my sister-in-law, Nicole, to an overdose five years ago, and I immediately thought of her when I heard about the opportunity to host these pop-up naloxone events.

“I know that we want to help save a life because we would have wanted someone to help save Nicole's life. Addiction recovery takes a wholistic approach, and we are happy to play a role.”

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The partnership with Canton City Public Health for these events actually started with Stark Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (StarkMHAR). After meeting with StarkMHAR for some other projects, the Lockes told the organization to keep them in mind for any future events.

“What can we do to help?” Trey Locke recalled asking StarkMHAR. “And they approached us to let us know what Canton City Public Health were doing. They helped us connect with them. And we’ve been working with them …”

Tackling the opioid epidemic has been a priority for Canton City Public Health. Hosting naloxone distribution events is one way it’s helping the community directly.

Canton Public Heath Dept. and naloxone distribution

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StarkMHAR has sponsored the several NaloxBoxes placed around the community, including many of the McDonald’s restaurants owned by the Locke family. The boxes have clear administration instructions. Naloxone is safe and simple to use, so any community member who is willing to respond can help save a life.

Canton City Public Health is happy to partner with the Lockes.

“This problem is affecting every community across the U.S., including ours here in Canton, and we want to do all we can to help combat this problem and keep families from losing more loved ones,” said Michelle Streetman, overdose prevention program coordinator at Canton City Public Health.

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“Having local business owners like the Locke family stepping up to help host these naloxone distribution events goes a long way in making our community a safer place in which to live, work and play.”

Canton City Public Health will be on-site with a booth in inside or in the parking lot at the restaurants distributing free naloxone, as well as information about resources that are available here locally for those who are battling addiction.

Details for the naloxone pop-up events

All events will be from 2 to 4 p.m.

• Sept. 12, McDonald’s at 4025 Lincoln St. E, Canton Township

• Sept. 19, McDonald’s at 2331 Faircrest St. SW, Canton Township

• Sept. 26, McDonald’s at 3713 17th St. SW, Canton Township

• Oct. 3, McDonald’s at 3251 Mahoning Road NE, Canton

• Oct. 10, McDonald’s at 3109 Cleveland Ave. SW, Canton

• Oct. 17, McDonald’s at 3101 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton

• Oct. 24, McDonald’s at 5554 Wales Ave. NW, Jackson Township

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County McDonald’s joining the fight against opioids