Latest news with #JonathanRiley
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cuts to narcan program could be detremental, Dothan advocates say
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — Funding for a grant that helps with the distribution of and training to use Naloxone or Narcan, an overdose reversal drug used to battle drug overdoses, could soon be cut. 'This ain't politics y'all. This is people's lives we are talking about here today. This is not just the homeless, this is not just the criminals, this affects everyday normal people,' said Jonathan Riley with Overdose to Action Grant Outreach for P.E.I.R. Dothan. Narcan is a drug used to save the lives of millions of first responders and other organizations across the country daily. The Trump administration proposed a $56 million cut to the grant, which helps organizations acquire Narcan from the state, cover transportation costs, provide Narcan training, and help people in the recovery process. Surrounding businesses, loggers will be hit hard by Wiregrass mill's closure 'We're just trying to make sure that people have a chance to live,' said Riley. In 2024 alone, there were 30-thousand fewer overdose deaths, which is down 27% from 2023, which is a dip credited in part to wider Narcan access. Riley says he understands that the percentage of overdose deaths is down, but that doesn't mean you can now take it away because drug overdoses are still a problem. 'In the past two weeks that I know of, we have had three overdoses; they were put in local hospitals and put on ventilators. Narcan had to be used to save their lives if there was an overdose. Overdoses are still happening,' said Riley. Riley, with People Engaged in Recovery in Dothan, a group that helps people through addiction says that cutting these funds would be detrimental, and that if the funding is cut it would make the life-saving drug less accessible and make it harder for organizations and first responders to get the necessary training to use it in an emergency. Mom files grievance against Slocomb school for what she calls 'unethical' grading in journalism class A training that seems scary at first, but it is necessary for saving lives. 'There is nothing to be scared of. Narcan will not affect someone if they are not overdosing. If there is an actual overdose, it will help bring that person back, it will open up their respiratory system again and let them breathe,' said Riley. Just in the past two months, Riley and others across South Alabama have distributed over 700 boxes of Narcan to those in need. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wiregrass groups set to host National Fentanyl Awareness Day event
DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — Next Tuesday, April 29, Dothan organizations will come together to spread awareness about the deadly illegal drug, fentanyl. A drug that has claimed the lives of hundreds of people across the Wiregrass. P.E.I.R. has an 'Angels of Hope' wall in their office that pays tribute to those victims. 'It's hard some days for some of us because we bust our tails to sit here and watch them die,' Overdose to Action Grant Outreach for P.E.I.R. Dothan, Jonathan Riley said. 'That hurts us.' They will hold a National Fentanyl Awareness Day event at Justice Park in Dothan from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. At the event, people will be able to get help from organizations, hear stories from people who are recovering, and hear about the impact fentanyl is leaving daily in the Wiregrass. 'There are resources here in this community and there is hope,' Executive Director of Transform Central-Dothan, Jason Johnson said. 'We also want everyone to know that addicts do recover, and this event is bringing awareness to those groups that help people recover.' At the event next week, organizations will distribute Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and offer hygiene for people in need of those resources. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
