Latest news with #NARCAN
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Victoria's Voice Foundation Marks National Naloxone Awareness Day on June 6 with Special Event on Capitol Hill
Annual Awareness Day Focusing Attention on the Drug Crisis and Importance of Lifesaving Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications was Launched by Victoria's Voice with Support from a Bipartisan Congressional Resolution Over 140 Iconic Buildings and Landmarks Nationwide to Shine Purple in Recognition of Awareness Day WASHINGTON, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Victoria's Voice Foundation marked National Naloxone Awareness Day on June 6 with a special event on Capitol Hill, bringing together families affected by the opioid crisis, advocates, lawmakers, law enforcement and other first responders. The awareness day is a vital time to heighten awareness of the risks of opioid overdoses and the urgency of expanding access to and the use of lifesaving overdose reversal medicines. It was launched in 2023 by Victoria's Voice Foundation with support from a bipartisan congressional resolution recognizing the awareness day annually. Naloxone, commonly sold over the counter under the brand name NARCAN® Nasal Spray, is a critical tool in preventing fatal opioid overdoses – and is credited with helping drive the recent 27% decline in U.S. drug overdose deaths. Naloxone nasal spray helps restore normal breathing in a person experiencing an opioid overdose. It is safe, easy to administer and non-addictive – and designed for use by bystanders and first responders alike. This is crucial because nearly 40% of fatal overdoses occur in the presence of someone else, according to the CDC. "We must continue to expand naloxone awareness, access and use so we can save as many lives as possible from opioid overdose," said Jackie Siegel, who co-founded Victoria's Voice with her late husband, David, after losing their daughter, Victoria, 18, to an accidental drug overdose on June 6, 2015. On the day she died, Victoria had a pulse when first responders arrived and found her unresponsive, but they were not equipped with naloxone, and Victoria became another statistic. Jackie added: "I am deeply grateful to the members of the U.S. Senate who introduced a bipartisan resolution declaring June 6 as National Naloxone Awareness Day – and to all those on the front lines of the crisis. While today is especially bittersweet as we mark 10 years since Victoria's passing, I find comfort and strength in knowing that her legacy is that because of her death, many more people will live." Victoria's Voice is dedicated to drug awareness and prevention and saving lives from overdose. Since its founding, Victoria's Voice has positively impacted over 1.5 million children and parents through its education programs. Additionally, David Siegel was at the forefront of the efforts to increase naloxone access and use – especially among law enforcement in Florida and nationwide – and inform about its lifesaving power. The 2025 federal resolution was introduced by U.S. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jim Justice (R-WV), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), James Lankford (R-OK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Angus King (I-ME) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA). Speakers at yesterday's resolution ceremony in the Hart Senate Office Building included Jackie Siegel, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), and Seminole County (FL) Sheriff Dennis Lemma, a statewide and national leader on responding to and preventing overdoses, and a Victoria's Voice board member. Other speakers included Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fl), Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), Virginia First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin, and Sir Edwards, Mayor-President of Baton Rouge (LA). "It is a privilege to join Victoria's Voice Foundation in recognizing National Naloxone Day and honor the life of Victoria, a young life lost to the devastating opioid epidemic. It is every parent's worst nightmare to lose their child, and it is remarkable to see how the Siegel family has turned their grief into a mission to educate others about the dangers of the opioid crisis so other families don't experience this same heartbreak," said Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL). Scott added: "This year was also the first Naloxone Awareness Day since the passing of my friend and Victoria's Voice founder, David Seigel. Ann and I were honored to donate a portion of my Senate salary to Victoria's Voice to support its cause and pay tribute to David's incredible work and legacy. I am proud to work with the foundation to raise awareness on the crisis and life-saving tool of Naloxone, which is critical in our fight to stop loss of life from opioids." "In every state, there are families, friends, and neighbors who are grieving the loss of a loved one to overdose. Naloxone can save lives but only if we get this lifesaving medication in people's hands. We need people to have access to naloxone, be able to afford it, and know how to use it," said Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). "I'm proud to join my colleagues in recognizing June 6 as Naloxone Awareness Day. This is an essential step in spreading awareness and giving communities the tools they need to save lives in the face of the opioid epidemic." National Naloxone Awareness Day is proudly sponsored by Emergent BioSolutions, the makers of NARCAN® Nasal Spray. "On National Naloxone Awareness Day, we have the opportunity to reinforce opioid emergency preparedness and make sure stakeholders across all sectors – from government officials to business leaders and local organizations – feel equipped with the tools they need to be ready to rescue not only today, but every day," stated Paul Williams, senior vice president, head of products business, global government & public affairs at Emergent. "We're proud of the work Victoria's Voice Foundation is doing year-round and we're honored to use this key moment in time to raise awareness and keep our communities safe together." In support of National Naloxone Awareness Day, over 140 iconic buildings, landmarks, bridges, monuments, parks, museums, city halls, downtown hubs and skylines nationwide will glow purple. From Niagara Falls, Baltimore's City Hall Dome, and the Kia Center in Victoria's Voice's Orlando hometown, to the Louisiana State Capitol, Chicago's 875 North Michigan Avenue and the Hawaii Convention Center, lights will be illuminated purple in a powerful display of awareness, unity and hope. Additionally, proclamations were issued by counties, cities and states including Orange County (FL), Baltimore, Kansas City, and the State of Illinois. For more information about National Naloxone Awareness Day, visit About Victoria's Voice Foundation David and Jackie Siegel established Victoria's Voice Foundation after losing their 18-year-old daughter to an accidental drug overdose on June 6, 2015. Victoria's Voice is dedicated to providing support and resources to families affected by substance use. Since its founding, Victoria's Voice has positively impacted over 1.5 million parents and children through its education programs. For more information, visit or @victoriasvoicefoundation. #VictoriasVoiceFoundation #GetGiveSave. About NARCAN® Nasal SprayNARCAN® Naloxone HC1 Nasal Spray 4 mg is the first FDA-approved, over-the-counter (OTC) 4 mg naloxone product for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. NARCAN® Nasal Spray is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Repeat dosing may be necessary. Use as directed. View original content: SOURCE Victoria's Voice Foundation Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New Haven officials boosting awareness after 19 overdoses were reported in 4 days
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — In the city of New Haven, officials are activating a tier 2response after there were 19 overdoses in four days. Unfortunately, one person died but 18 others survived. Mobile overdose reduction clinic teaches Connecticut shoreline residents about prevention after recent overdose spike 'Tier 2 is 11 to 14 overdoses in 24 hours and then as you can imagine the higher number of overdoses would be a higher level of response,' Mayor Justin Elicker said. 'Above that, we would do robocall throughout the city to notify people. Tier 2 we use social media to engage our partners.' This comes just six months after police officers in New Haven started training and administering NARCAN. A big voice in the fight to get NARCAN into the hands of New Haven's police officers was Fiona Firine. Firine lost her 27-year-old son to a fentanyl overdose back in 2018 and since then, she's worked tirelessly to be an advocate for change. 'I'm so sad to hear that we have an uptick,' Firine said. 'I'm so grateful to hear those people were saved.' She said it took three years of fighting to get NARCAN into the police department, 'It had to go through a lot of different steps,' Firine said. 'It had to go through a lot of different barriers and ultimately it was decided the best way to get people to do it was to use these special tactical pouches that clip on.' Daniel Sullivan, supervisor of EMS for the New Haven Fire Department, said that generally, there are a large amount of overdoses in the city, but that 19 is high in a clustered time frame. Sullivan said administering NARCAN is imperative when it comes to saving someone's life during an overdose because it could prevent a cardiac arrest. 'With opioid overdoses, one of the biggest patient effects is it suppresses the respiratory system,' Sullivan said. Right now, DEA and intelligence units throughout New Haven have not been able to identify a common denominator or clear source, but one thing is clear: fentanyl is a common denominator. On Thursday city officials announced free CPR and AED training workshops that will be offered to residents at all five branches of the New Haven Free Public Library between June and November. Part of the workshops will also cover NARCAN administration. To register for a workshop, information can be found at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
SFPD: 7 confirmed overdose deaths so far in 2025
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Police in Sioux Falls continue to see the impact of drug and alcohol addictions in the community. Container homes face challenges in Sioux Falls market Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum said there's been seven overdose deaths in Sioux Falls, which is below 10 at the same point in 2024. He said one additional possible overdose death is still awaiting toxicology reports. 'They're all bad drugs,' Thum said. 'There's no safe way to do drugs.' Thum said the recent drug overdoses in the state prison has brought additional discussion about deadly drugs in the community. 'This is an issue and problem we continue to work on collectively,' Thum said. He said parents can't have enough conversations with kids about the dangers of drugs and addiction. There are overdoses that police aren't aware about because NARCAN might be used or someone might be helped before it results in a death. 'NARCAN is buying another chance but that only works with fentanyl,' Thum said. KELOLAND News will have more coverage from Thum's news conference on addiction impacts in Sioux Falls. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Healing House opens 15th house for drug addiction recovery
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Healing House Inc. opened their 15th house in Kansas City Friday, estimating they've transformed over 15,000 lives during the past two decades. 'What we do here is help people who have addiction issues. There's so many people dying every day with this fentanyl. It's just heartbreaking,' Healing House Founder and Director Bobbi Jo Reed said. Texas' measles outbreak is starting to slow. The US case count climbs slightly to 1,024 cases Jolene Carter's son Collin Carter, 22, died of an overdose in 2020. The newest house, the Collin House, is named in his honor. 'He had overdosed before, and luckily, I was able to get to him when NARCAN did save him,' she said. The CDC significantly nationwide and in Kansas and Missouri. The founder of Healing House credits NARCAN for Missouri's 28 percent drop in overdose deaths the past year. In Kansas, drug overdose deaths fell by 15 percent during that same time frame. 'People can say you are just enabling people (supplying NARCAN). If an addict has an opportunity for a new day, one more chance, that may be the day they get it,' Reed said. Collin's mom wishes she had that chance. It's why she provided money for the down payment for Healing House to open the home on St. John Avenue. The 10 beds will expand their total to 220. One person taken to hospital after Kansas City apartment fire Friday night 'The spirituality that comes with healing house to me is the missing part that regular rehabs don't have. It just helps you get all the way through rather than just a part of addiction,' Carter said. 'We have folks now who are buying homes in this community who have gone through this program. So what does that do? That brings new, good life into to our community,' Reed said. Monday, they plan to sign a construction contract on a building right down the street. It's a Family Enrichment Center with the idea that it really does take a village to kick this addiction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Spike' in suspected overdoses, poisonings in Stanislaus County
( — The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office said the county saw a 'spike' in suspected overdoses and poisonings over the weekend. According to the DA's office, there were 10 non-fatal incidents reported in the span of 25 hours this past weekend. The DA's office suggested people obtain Naloxone, also known as NARCAN, which reverses opioid overdoses from Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. They also advised that anyone who suspects someone is having an overdose call 911 immediately, even if Naloxone has been administered. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
