West Virginia counties participate in ‘Save a Life Day’, hand out free Narcan

MONONGALIA COUNTY, W.Va (WDTV) – Over 100,000 deaths a year in the United States are related to drug overdoses, according to the CDC. In an attempt to lower that number, West Virginia and other states around the country (most east of the Mississippi) took Thursday, September 26th to help make a difference. ‘Free Naloxone Day’ also known as ‘Save a Life Day’ started in Kanawha County, West Virginia in 2020. The yearly event invites volunteers with non-profits to distribute free Narcan/Naloxone kits (Nasal spray that treats opioid overdoses) to communities. Since 2020, the initiative has spread to 31 states. It has sites in all counties across West Virginia. In Monongalia County, volunteers with ‘Mon County’s Quick Response Team’ (QRT) have set up the ‘West Virginia Sober Living’ tent in Hazel Ruby Park, one of 12 locations handing out Narcan kits in the county. One of the volunteers, Joe Klass, Chief of Operations at Mon County Health Department, explains how life-changing the usage of Narcan could be for the area and even the country.

“substance use disorder is a big issue throughout the United States, but West Virginia has been hit particularly hard in all 55 counties,” said Klass. “We have sadly had a lot of overdose fatalities. One of the ways we are trying to counter that is through giving out Naloxone or Narcan to the public because it is one of the best ways to save the life of someone who overdoses from opioids.”

At another tent, in front of the Monongalia County Courthouse, the same sentiment rings true; Naloxone can save lives, something Teisha Prim, Supervisor with WV Sober Living, has personal experience with.

“I’m a person in long-term recovery for close to six years and I have a lot of friends that are really important to me that wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Naloxone,” said Prim.

Free Naloxone was from 10 AM to 6 PM and by 3 PM. almost 2,500 doses of Narcan were handed out across the county.

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