Free Live-Saving NarcanⓇ Available to Norwalk Residents and Businesses
The Norwalk Partnership (TNP) is offering resources to help combat the overdose epidemic
NORWALK, CT – Thousands of people lose their lives every year to overdose. Last year, 1,464 Connecticut residents, including 24 Norwalkers, died from an overdose, according to the CT Department of Health. As of August 2023, 24 Norwalkers have died this year. The deadly synthetic opioid, fentanyl, was responsible for the majority of these deaths. The good news is opioid overdose deaths can be prevented with NarcanⓇ, a drug that reverses the overdose when given promptly.
Event Details:
● Provided by: The Norwalk Partnership
● When & Where: September 14, 2023 between 3:30 pm and 6 pm at Eco Evolution, 135 Washington Street in Norwalk
● Participants will: ○ Learn the warning signs of overdose ○ How to administer Narcan to reverse the overdose ○ Receive a FREE Narcan kit, courtesy of a state grant administered by The Hub (kits available first come first served, for ages 18+, while supplies last)
● Staff from two local nonprofits, Positive Directions and CT Counseling Centers, will be present to answer questions about prevention, treatment and recovery options.
● No registration required
“The more people know how to recognize and respond to a possible overdose, the more lives we may save,” says Margaret Watt, Prevention Director at Positive Directions and member of The Norwalk Partnership’s leadership team. “TNP encourages business owners to make sure they are prepared to handle any emergency that could take place on their premises, so we’re grateful to the Chamber for helping promote the event,” according to Watt. TNP is holding the event at Eco Evolution to facilitate businesses in SoNo to attend.
The opioid crisis continues to evolve. Fentanyl is now present in most overdose deaths, often in the form of counterfeit drugs made to look like other substances. These overdoses can be reversed if the person is given Narcan in time. Non-opioid drugs, such as cocaine and xylazine, are increasingly involved in overdoses in Connecticut. These substances do not respond to Narcan, so it is always important to call 911 in any overdose situation.
Narcan is currently available for sale at drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, where it can be purchased at the pharmacy window with no prescription needed. It will soon be available over the counter, and The Norwalk Partnership is working with local pharmacies on an informational flyer for their customers.
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About The Norwalk Partnership The Norwalk Partnership (TNP) brings community members and organizations together to prevent substance misuse among youth and young adults. In so doing, we contribute to our vision of Norwalk as a community that fosters mental wellbeing and supports safe and healthy behaviors across the lifespan. Learn more and find resources at thenorwalkpartnership.org.
Contact: Margaret Watt This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 203-227-7644
