Today is Overdose Awareness Day. Here's where to get naloxone in Summit County

Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
A small bottle of the opiate overdose treatment drug, naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, is displayed.
A small bottle of the opiate overdose treatment drug, naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, is displayed.

In 2021, 235 people died from overdoses in Summit County.

This afternoon, 235 people will stand side-by-side on the All-American Bridge in Akron to recognize those lives lost during the second annual Ohio Overdose Awareness Day.

The gathering is one of several events planned locally for the annual day of remembrance and action. A virtual panel discussion and several free events to distribute the opioid overdose antidote naloxone also will take place throughout the community.

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A Facebook Live panel discussion with community leaders and experts will take place 11 a.m. to noon. Participants include:

  • Summit County Medical Examiner Dr. Lisa Kohler

  • Summit County Public Health Commissioner Donna Skoda

  • ADM Board Executive Director Aimee Wade

  • Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan

  • The Rev. Deante Lavender, pastor of Remedy Church in Akron.

  • Mark Salchak, a certified recovery coach at IBH

  • Greta Johnson, director of communications and assistant chief of staff for County Executive Ilene Shapiro

Following the panel discussion, 235 people will stand along the pedestrian walkway of Akron's All-American Bridge to represent the 235 Summit County individuals who lost their lives to fatal drug overdoses in 2021. Participants also will observe 235 seconds of silence.

In addition, naloxone — also known by the brand name Narcan — will be distributed today at these events:

  • Narcan pop-up and ice cream social 4-6 p.m. at Catholic Charities St. John’s Recovery Outreach Center, 1034 Brown Street St., Akron.

  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Homeless Charity Outreach and Village Services' Outreach House, 47 N. Arlington, Akron.

  • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at United Way of Summit and Medina, 37 N. High St., Akron.

  • Pop-up Narcan Stop with giveaways and purple ribbons 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Community Health Services, 702 E. Market St., Akron.

  • 3-6 p.m. at Summit County Public Health's Arlington Plaza location, 1400 S. Arlington St., Suite 28, Akron.

Naloxone also will be available 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 2 at Summit County Public Health, 1867 W. Market St. in Akron and from ARC Recovery Services at the Barberton Farmer's Market, which takes place 2-6 p.m. on Tuesdays.

In addition, Narcan is always available to Summit County residents by mail order atwww.scph.org/kit-request-form.

Gov. Mike DeWine sanctioned the observance of Ohio Overdose Awareness Day in 2021. County Executive Ilene Shapiro and County Council also declared Aug. 31 a day of remembrance for the lives lost to overdose.

The Summit County Recovery Hub, a new recovery community organization, Summit County Public Health and the Summit County Opiate and Addiction Task Force are partnering to support Overdose Awareness Day in Summit County.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Summit County Overdose Awareness Day includes events, free narcan