By Greg Jordan, Bluefield Daily Telegraph
PRINCETON, W.Va. — Drug overdose deaths are an ongoing tragedy across the nation, but today there are sites across southern West Virginia and the rest of the nation offering a medication that reverses the effects of overdoses.
During Save a Life Day, an annual event dedicated to distributing naloxone, a lifesaving nasal spray, there will be sites at local businesses and organizations where the medication will be available. Naloxone, also known under the brand name Narcan, will be distributed today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in all 55 of West Virginia’s counties.
Locally, Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center will lead efforts in Mercer, McDowell and Wyoming counties, providing free naloxone at multiple locations. Residents in these communities are encouraged to visit the distribution tables to receive a free naloxone kit, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and learn more about preventing overdoses.
“This is like a huge event,” said Amanda Hunt, community outreach specialist with Southern Highlands. “Last year we we handed out over 45,000 naloxone doses.”
