Latest news with #ReviveAwarenessDay
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Walton County Overdose Prevention Task Force celebrates Revive Awareness Day
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – In 2024, Governor DeSantis signed a bill that designates June 6 as a day to bring attention to drug overdoses and the tools used to save lives. Local officials, health professionals and overdose survivors gathered at the North Walton Doctors Hospital to celebrate their first Revive Awareness Day. 'There is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a young person die from a drug overdose because that is 100% preventable,' North Walton Doctors Hospital Chief Executive Dr. Guy Nguyen said. Dr. Nguyen said he has spent most of his career amid the opioid epidemic. He's seen firsthand how naloxone, an opioid antagonist that can reverse overdoses from substances like fentanyl, can save users from certain death. 'Sometimes they jump out of the bed and they want to hit you because you just took away their high,' Dr. Nguyen continued. It worked for Samara Bailey, whose overdose began her long road to recovery. 'The only thing I remember is waking up in an emergency room similar to this, and the nurse telling me, 'honey, you just died,'' overdose survivor Samara Bailey said. Because of her drug use, Bailey found herself in the Okaloosa County Jail, a circumstance law enforcement officials are all too familiar with. 'A lot of people come to jail and they are addicted, and that could very well be one of the reasons that they are in jail to begin with, and a lot of cases it is,' said WCSO Chief of Emergency Services Tracey Vause. But through hard work, dedication and community support, Bailey completed her road to recovery. Bailey, like many other former addicts, are making the best out of their second chance. 'I'm very, very blessed to be able to say that I get to show up as a loving husband, a father and a grandfather now, which I'm very happy about,' overdose survivor Chris Hockman said. To contact the Walton County Overdose Prevention Task Force, call (850) 401-6338. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
DOH-Bay reminds residents of Revive Awareness Day
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida Department of Health in Bay County observes Revive Awareness Day on Friday, June 6. According to a news release, the DOH-Bay wants to remind residents that naloxone (Narcan) is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Floridians can find Narcan for their community by calling DOH-Bay at 850-872-4455. The DOH-Bay offers Narcan at the Florida Department of Health in Bay County, 597 W 11 St., Panama City, FL, 32401. DOH-Bay offers the following information: All Floridians need to know the signs of an overdose, which include: -Small, constricted 'pinpoint pupils'-Falling asleep or losing consciousness-Slow, weak, or not breathing-Choking or gurgling sounds-Cold or clammy skin-Discolored skin, especially lips and nails-Limp body What to Do if You Think Someone is Overdosing: -If you suspect someone has overdosed, call 911 immediately.-Administer Narcan if available, lay the person on their side to prevent choking, andtry to keep them awake and breathing until emergency assistance arrives. The HEROS Program:-The Florida Department of Health's Helping Emergency Responders Obtain Support(HEROS) program provides naloxone to emergency response agencies throughout the Florida agency that employs licensed emergency responders may apply to the HEROSprogram. If You or a Loved One Needs Help:The Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network is the first of its kind in the U.S. and aimsto eliminate the stigma of addiction and treat substance use disorder as a disease, with the same level of continuous care. Floridians battling with addiction can utilize the CORE Network for stabilization and to receive medication-assisted treatment from a network of specialized medical experts that will help guide them on a sustained pathway to healthy success. Spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis, 'The Facts. Your Future.' campaign focuses onsupporting students statewide to ensure they receive prevention instruction and encouragementto protect and maintain their health, avoid substance misuse, and discourage risky behaviors sothey can thrive and flourish for life. This campaign is an interactive approach to ensure students are informed and can make safe decisions as they grow. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
