Via Christi Partners with WSU to Offer Care Kits to Reduce Harm from Substance Use

The Via Christi St. Francis Level I Trauma Center has partnered with Wichita State University's Hope Services to become a distribution site for Care Kits, an evidence-based resource designed for individuals struggling with substance use or misuse.

The kits are designed to minimize risk, enhance safety and empower recipients to make informed decisions through practical support. Kits include overdose response materials such as fentanyl test strips, naloxone and gun locks. They also feature alternative coping tools like journals, coloring pages and grounding exercises, alongside resources for substance use recovery.

Since last November, Via Christi St. Francis Trauma Center has provided more than 20 Care Kits to patients who have been screened and identified as being at risk. As the program expands, these kits will also become a standard resource in Via Christi emergency departments.

"Many of the patients we see are dealing with complicated, heavy issues, and while we can't fix everything, we can put something practical and lifesaving into their hands before they walk out our doors," said Joseph Nold, MD, medical director of the Trauma Center.

Dr. Nold noted that the kits are already making an impact.

"We recently heard from a family who used the naloxone from one of these kits to reverse an overdose in someone they love," Dr. Nold said. "That's a person saved who might not be here otherwise. It's about doing one concrete thing that gives patients help when they need it most."

In addition to the substance-use focused Care Kits, Hope Services also offers Hope Kits, which are specifically designed to assist individuals struggling with their mental health. The emergency department at Via Christi St. Joseph has distributed Hope Kits since June 2025.

"When you are coping with intense feelings, a chaotic relationship with substances or suicidal ideation, having a Hope Kit or Care Kit can be a valuable tool," said Marci Young, PsyD, LP, WSU's Hope Services director. "Just like an at-home first aid kit or evacuation plan for a natural disaster, advance planning for moments of crisis can help you get through those moments in a manner that aligns with your goals."