On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, 17 West Virginia Counties are banding together to host the largest day yet of naloxone distribution in the state.
West Virginia lost 1,349 residents to fatal overdoses last year. 2020 was the first year the state lost three residents a day, on average.
17 counties, including most of the hardest hit, will be setting up free naloxone booths at churches, clinics, colleges, gas stations, parks, supermarkets, and even a pet shop.
Over 70 locations will also offer training and education, as well as resources for accessing recovery services.
Participating counties include Kanawha, Cabell, Berkeley, Monongalia, Logan, Mercer, Ohio, Harrison, Wayne, Marion, McDowell, Jefferson, Putnam, Boone, Wyoming, Morgan and Wetzel. Together, these counties accounted for two-thirds of the state’s fatal drug overdoses from 2020.
Organizers plan to distribute over 4,000 naloxone kits- over 8,000 doses- throughout the course of the day.
Earlier this Spring and Summer, a number of West Virginia counties, including Wood, Raleigh, Fayette, Greenbrier, and Logan Counties, hosted naloxone giveaway events
Many people have heard of naloxone via one of its brand names, Narcan. Narcan is an easy-to-use nasal spray with no adverse side effects that works to reverse opioid overdoses. 2021 represents the 50th anniversary since naloxone was approved by the FDA in 1971.
Family members, friends of people who take opioids for pain, friends of people who use drugs, and anyone who wants to save a life are welcome to get trained on Wednesday.
The majority of naloxone for this Save a Life Day will be provided by the WV Office of Drug Control Policy. Local organizations, churches, businesses, and individuals are also sponsoring naloxone kits.
Reach out to county organizers here.