Kent Drugs and Ensemble: Strengthening A Pillar of Community Health and Well-being

Richibucto, now amalgamated into Beaurivage in 2023, is located in northeastern New Brunswick with about 1500 residents, including a significant Mi’kmaq (Indigenous) community. In March 2021, community pharmacist Abby Visser noticed a gap in harm reduction services.

Her patients had difficulty accessing supplies like needles, pipes, and naloxone kits. The closest location for these items was Ensemble in Moncton, an hour’s drive away. Many residents could not make this trip due to costs and other barriers. A partnership quickly formed between Kent Drugs Guardian Pharmacy and Ensemble to distribute harm reduction supplies locally.

Kent Drugs has long been a cornerstone of health and wellness in the community. Their mission is to support those affected by substance use, meeting people where they are in their recovery journey. They proudly support a methadone clinic (opioid agonist therapy), providing a safe, compassionate environment for individuals seeking recovery.

When the opportunity arose to house a third Healthbox, Ensemble knew it would be best suited at Kent Drugs Guardian Pharmacy. This decision would enhance harm reduction services for the rural community and surrounding areas. Thanks to Our Healthbox, the Richibucto community now has low-barrier access to HIV self-test kits and other harm reduction supplies.

This initiative has strengthened local community health and well-being and added to the history of Kent Drugs and Richibucto.

While setting up the Healthbox, the pharmacy encountered a challenge regarding the distribution of life-saving naloxone kits, used to reverse opioid overdoses. In New Brunswick, naloxone is a Schedule II medicine and must be distributed by a pharmacist within the pharmacy, typically requiring a prescription and potential out-of-pocket costs to the patient.

The Healthbox is housed within the pharmacy building, close to the methadone clinic window. To allow low-barrier access to naloxone kits from the Healthbox, an exemption request was presented to the New Brunswick College of Pharmacists. With strong advocacy from the Kent Drugs team and support from the Our Healthbox program team at REACH Nexus, the College granted an exemption, allowing anonymous and simple access to naloxone.

Since launching in January 2023, the Kent Drugs Healthbox in Richibucto has successfully reached people in a rural community long underserved and in need of life-saving supplies.

The Healthbox has enhanced Kent Drugs’ capacity to provide harm reduction resources to individuals in Richibucto and neighboring rural areas.

Ensemble and Kent Drugs are committed to ensuring everyone has access to necessary care, regardless of circumstances. Whether seeking medication, counseling, or a supportive environment, Kent Drugs welcomes all with compassion, integrity, and expertise. This partnership embodies trust, healing, and community support, aiming to meet the health and well-being needs of every individual.‍

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About the Organizations and Authors‍

Ensemble, formerly known as AIDS Moncton since 1989, serves the Greater Moncton Area by providing education on HIV and other STIs, reducing stigma, and offering support services such as the Needle Distribution Service and Overdose Prevention Site. Their mission is to alleviate social challenges through empowerment and community-building that promotes diversity, inclusion, and health. Ensemble adopts a nonjudgmental approach to harm reduction, acknowledging and minimizing the risks associated with drug use. Visit the Ensemble website to learn more.

Kent Drugs – Guardian Pharmacy in Richibucto has been a cornerstone of health and wellness for many years. They are committed to supporting those affected by substance use disorders, offering opioid agonist therapy in a safe, compassionate environment. Kent Drugs focuses on meeting individuals where they are in their recovery journey, ensuring accessibility to care for all. Whether you need medication, counseling, or a supportive environment, Kent Drugs welcomes you. Explore their services here.