What We Do

STREET OUTREACH

GROUP Ministries, Inc. in February 2024, began a partnership with the Erie County Department of Health to confront, head-on, the fight to reduce the number of fentanyl-related overdoses in the city of Buffalo. The task decided was to distribute the life-saving chemical Narcan, and fentanyl and xylazine testing strips. The Outreach Team also provides education and demonstrations on the proper use of the opioid antagonist, Narcan and fentanyl, and xylazine testing strips.

What is naloxone and how does it work?

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. Instead of counterbalancing symptoms like Epinephrine (EpiPen) to overcome the effects of an extreme allergic reaction, naloxone blocks the brain’s uptake of opioids by replacing them. Think of your brain cells like a toddler’s shape sorter toy — the one with the different shaped holes and blocks. Naloxone comes along and replaces the opioid. It can boot it out or fill the hole before the heroin comes along.

Naloxone does not treat overdoses of non-opioid medications, and it does not have an effect on someone who has not taken opioids.²

Narcan Distributed For December 2024

100

Our Team Members

Pastor Arthur H. Boyd

President

Michelle Boyd

Vice President

Kenneth L. Gaston, MA

Program Director

Jewel Livingston

Administrative Assistant

Jennifer Claypoole

Outreach Lead

A'Raeya Sunshine LaValley

Outreach

Willie Cunningham

Station Monitor

Dwayne Littleton

Outreach

Narcan Purple Box Dispenser Map

Group Ministries – 1333 Jefferson Ave.

New Beginnings COGIC – 828 Genesee St.

Promise Land Baptist Church – 243 Mulberry St.

Elim Christian Fellowship – 70 Chalmers Ave.

Firehouse 22 – 1520 Broadway St.

Edison St Community Church – 28 Edison St.

Cold Spring Bible Chapel – 100 Northland St.

Utica & Main St

Bailey & Kensington Plaza

215 Playter St.

938 Broadway St.

703 Fillmore Ave.

B Street & Fillmore Ave.

300 Detroit St.