Northwest Michigan Works! Designated Recovery-Friendly, Narcan Boxes Installed Across Region

Northwest Michigan Works!, the workforce program of Networks Northwest, has received a Recovery Friendly Workplace designation and installed naloxone (Narcan) distribution boxes at four regional service centers, a move officials say will broaden overdose prevention and support for people rebuilding lives in northern Michigan.

The Narcan boxes were placed at Northwest Michigan Works! locations in Petoskey, Cadillac, Traverse City and Manistee through a partnership with Harm Reduction Michigan. Agency leaders said the action affirms the organization’s commitment to supporting employees, customers and community members in recovery from substance use and expands recovery awareness, strengthens community resource connections and promotes a workplace culture that supports recovery, dignity and stable employment.

The designation and naloxone access are immediate public health measures in a region where emergency responders, social service providers and families continue to grapple with substance use crises. By stocking life-saving naloxone in places where people come for job search assistance, training and support services, Northwest Michigan Works! brings harm reduction tools into everyday community settings and reduces barriers to access for residents in need.

For many Grand Traverse County residents, seeing Narcan available at the Traverse City service center normalizes overdose prevention and signals that recovery is part of the workplace mission as well as social services. Placement of naloxone at the Petoskey, Cadillac and Manistee centers means residents across multiple counties can obtain reversal medication without navigating medical appointments, potentially shortening response time in emergencies and offering immediate protection for peers and family members.

Beyond the immediate health benefit, leaders framed the effort as tied to employment outcomes. Removing stigma and creating supportive workplaces can help people maintain steady jobs and housing while navigating recovery. The Recovery Friendly Workplace designation endorses policies and practices that allow supervisors and co-workers to respond to substance use challenges with safety, connection to treatment, and an emphasis on dignity.

The partnership with Harm Reduction Michigan embeds a public health approach in workforce services, linking overdose prevention with outreach and referrals. Locating naloxone in workforce centers creates a practical bridge between people seeking employment help and the broader network of health and recovery resources.

The installations took place on January 22, 2026. For residents, the development means Narcan is now available at Northwest Michigan Works! centers in Petoskey, Cadillac, Traverse City and Manistee and that local workforce services are actively positioning recovery supports as part of job readiness and economic stability work. As the agency implements its Recovery Friendly Workplace practices, community partners and policymakers will watch whether expanded access and workplace supports translate into fewer fatal overdoses and improved employment retention for people in recovery.