The Rainmakers are a group of volunteers here at Truth Pharm. We would like to recognize and introduce our hard working volunteers who do so much for the community and give back so selflessly. This month we recognize Kim Durkee as one of our many amazing rainmakers. She has been volunteering with Truth Pharm for over three years, as well as been on the Truth Pharm board.
Kim is a certified Narcan trainer with Truth Pharm and has single handedly Narcan trained 141 people in just the last 12 months. Kim says, ‘It’s really simple for me. I’m a nurse and I’ve done education in the nursing home, I just make sure that I’m connecting with people.’ She uses her ability to connect with people on a deeper level; as a means of education. Kim Durkee finds it easier to train people due to her background as a nurse. She is a nurse with UHS and takes external clients. She supervises Vestal Park Nursing Home and Bridgewater Nursing Home as well.
Kim is not only one of Truth Pharm’s highest-performing Narcan trainers, but also has been involved with a number of advocacy initiatives to raise awareness and improve legislation related to substance use. Kim finds the shared experiences among those involved in advocacy groups comforting and has a desire to combat stigma and judgment surrounding substance use. She says, “It’s a shame that someone says, ‘I need help,’ and they’re told to wait two or three days. If you go to a hospital for a serious illness, you get admitted that day. Why can’t it be the same for substance use disorder treatment?” Kim expresses many hopes for the future and is determined to be a part of the solution.
Kim Durkee advocating at the 2024 Trail of Truth National Tour
Some of Kim’s goals are for the community to get easier access to treatment, transparency in the allocation of opioid settlement funds, reduced stigma in healthcare, and improved support within the legal system for individuals dealing with substance use issues.
“There’s a lot of stigma, even in healthcare. Unless you’ve endured it, you don’t know,” she says. Kim does so much to help this community, from attending advocacy meetings with legislators, providing comments during Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board Meetings, and distribution of Narcan kits and so much more. She has a passion for educating peers and professionals to see substance use disorder as a medical, not moral, issue. When she distributed narcan kits this was a huge way she educates and connects with people. “When I drop it off, there’s questions asked, and it starts a conversation.”
Kim accepting a B.O.P.S. reward for Narcan training the highest number of people in 2025.
Our Naloxbox’s are set up all over Broome County, in order to provide easier access to Narcan for the community. Kim adopted our naloxboxes located at Vestal Inn USA and American Legion Post 82, which means that she checks them regularly and refills them with Narcan kits that she picks up from Truth Pharm. Truth Pharm’s Adopt-A-Naloxbox program is an easy way for community members to do their part if there is a box near their home or work.
If you are interested in adopting a Naloxbox, you can call Truth Pharm’s office at (607)296-3016 or email Markquois at markquoisperry.truthpharm@gmail.com, and we will provide you with a list of boxes that still need to be adopted!