Project DAWN stands for "Deaths Avoided With Naloxone" and is a statewide program that provides agencies and community partners to distribute free Narcan to those who might need the lifesaving medicine in the event of an overdose.
LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Allen County Public Health is reminding residents of their Project DAWN program that supplies Narcan in the event that someone overdoses. Project DAWN stands for "Deaths Avoided With Naloxone" and is a statewide program that provides agencies and community partners to distribute free Narcan to those who might need the lifesaving medicine in the event of an overdose. ACPH says that Allen County does see both fatal and non-fatal overdoses, some of which are unintentional, so their goal is to prepare the community to help combat the opioid epidemic.
ACPH reminds people that Narcan only temporarily blocks the effects of opioids but gives you time to call 911 for emergency services.
"Most are unintentional overdoses. Many individuals that may be taking substances understand or were told it was one thing, but really there was an opiate, most commonly fentanyl mixed in with it. This is a box of what we would give out. It's two nasal sprays, so if you suspected someone was in an opiate overdose... it's a nasal spray. Keep calm and spray it in their nose. It takes a couple minutes for this medicine to get into their system," says Sarah Misiakiewicz, Project DAWN Coordinator, Allen County Public Health.
ACPH reminds people that Narcan only temporarily blocks the effects of opioids but gives you time to call 911 for emergency services. They also invite any community agency or first responder who wishes to have a supply of Narcan to reach out to Allen County Public Health.
