PEACHTREE CITY, Ga – Efforts continue in metro Atlanta to provide free Narcan, the drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.  

Doreen Barr, the founder of “In Ryan’s Name”, was recently seen stocking a metal box outside The Healing Bridge Clinic in Peachtree City, where it will be available to the public for free 24/7. Barr’s son, Ryan, died eight years ago of an overdose of opioids laced with fentanyl. She says he had been a college athlete who became addicted to painkillers after an injury. 

This was the 12th box provided by the organization Georgia Overdose Prevention, many of them around metro Atlanta and throughout north Georgia. This one contains fentanyl test strips, Narcan nasal spray as well as injectables. This is the first box in Peachtree City and Barr says it’s the second in Fayette County, where her family has lived for over 30 years. 

Peachtree City Police say they’ve seen a huge jump in drug use since the COVID pandemic. 

Felony drug charges are up 158% in four years, and DUIs involving drugs up 94% in the same time; police say this is playing out in every community. 

First responders say they are seeing the life-saving potential of Narcan, and they say making it widely available for people to have in their homes is crucial. 

The Healing Bridge Clinic in Peachtree City, where the box is located, is one of the largest providers of free medical care in metro Atlanta. 

The Narcan is free to anyone and should be kept in the home and available if needed. 

It may be the last shot for Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke, but he found his way back into the NFL by signing with the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday.

Rourke was most recently with the New York Giants before being released last week. He also had NFL stops with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots. Atlanta was an ideal landing spot for Rourke as the Falcons had put a waiver claim on Rourke before he went to the Giants.

His most memorable NFL moment came against the Dallas Cowboys in preseason. Rourke finished with 153 yards passing and one touchdown that came when he was in the process of being sacked.

Before the NFL, the BC Lions selected Rourke in the second round of the 2020 CFL Draft. Rourke threw for 4,103 yards and 40 total touchdowns. He won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian award after leading the Lions to the playoffs in 2022.

This is an opportunity for Rourke to battle for the third-string quarterback job, as Kirk Cousins and rookie Michael Penix Jr. are expected to be the top two. Rourke will have to battle with Taylor Heinicke for the last spot.

CFL followers have been vocal about ensuring Rourke gets a real shot at making an NFL roster. This is his shot to prove that Canadian quarterbacks can be successful. At least for Rourke that if the NFL doesn’t pan out, the CFL will come calling and everyone will be on the line for him.

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The Atlanta Braves provided a few updates on the pitching staff ahead of this weekend’s series against the Miami Marlins.

Fortunately, Max Fried is eligible to be activated from the injured list today. He landed on the IL on July 21 with a forearm injury. Now, he is in consideration to start Sunday’s game.

The club also announced that Grant Holmes will get the ball on Saturday. 28-year-old Holmes made his first career MLB start on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers and looks to carry that momentum into this series.

And finally, Reynaldo Lopez is still considered day-to-day after exiting his last start with forearm soreness. Hopefully, he is on the mend and will rejoin the pitching staff shortly.

More Braves News:

Austin Riley, Matt Olson, and Orlando Arcia each homered in Thursday’s 4-2 win over the Fish. The series continues tonight at 7:20 ET with Spencer Schwellenbach on the bump.

Austin Riley earned the Braves’ Heart and Hustle Award for the second consecutive year. The accolade is annually awarded to an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game while embodying baseball’s values, spirits, and traditions.

Drake Baldwin had a successful Wednesday with another homer for Triple-A Gwinnett. More in the minor league recap.

Most of the band got back together after the acquisitions of Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson. Let’s see if this move yields the same results it did in 2021.

In the latest Braves Dispatch, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution discusses his final thoughts after the trade deadline and what the remainder of 2024 looks like for the Braves.

MLB News:

Major League Baseball has released the 2024 Postseason Schedule with a new system to prevent long layoffs.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout will miss the remainder of the season due to a meniscus tear.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Adbert Alzolay will undergo forearm surgery and miss the rest of the season. The club has not provided a clear timeline of his return.

The Baltimore Orioles designated outfielder Cristian Pache for assignment. He was just traded to the O’s in the swap that took Austin Hays to the Philadelphia Phillies.