Allen County Public Health is giving members of the community a second chance at life by supplying naloxone, the drug that can reverse an opiate overdose.Â
Naloxone kits, now also known as Project Dawn kits, have been distributed through Allen County Health since the Ohio Department of Health launched the 'Deaths Avoided with Naloxone' program in May of 2017.
According to Tami Gough, director of Prevention and Health Promotion Services, the Ohio Department of Health statistics estimates that there are approximately fourteen visits a week to Allen County hospitals for overdoses. Gough says that used kits may be returned so that they can be replenished, no questions asked.
"That's our whole goal with offering the Project Dawn program is to give an individual a second chance. Sometimes they need more than that, three or four chances. However, we just don't feel it's up to us to decide how many chances an individual gets. This tool is available so we are here to offer it," said Gough.
If you would like more information regarding naloxone or Project Dawn, search 'Project Dawn' on https://www.odh.ohio.gov/.
