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How does a free kit save a life when every second counts? On Save a Life Day community health advocates across West Virginia spent Thursday putting overdose reversal medication directly into the public’s hands at no cost and with no questions asked.
Westbrook Health Services hosted outreach stations across its eight county coverage area from Tyler County, south to Roane and Jackson counties.
Staff handed out free naloxone kits, hygiene items and resource directories that connect residents with mental health and addiction recovery programs.
What Save a Life Day Covered
One distribution site operated at The Gathering church at 14th and Latrobe streets in Parkersburg. Staff spent the day educating visitors and demonstrating how to administer nasal naloxone.
People commonly know the overdose reversal medication by the brand name Narcan. Save a Life Day takes place annually on the fourth Thursday of September.
Organizations across the country use the event to distribute naloxone and teach overdose prevention.
Seth Kerby Westbrook’s mobile crisis program director made a straightforward case for carrying naloxone.
“I think that everybody should try to carry naloxone if you can. It’s kind of the same as like having a first aid kit or a fire extinguisher” Kerby said.
“Hopefully we never have to use those things but if your kitchen’s on fire and you don’t have a fire extinguisher you’ll wish you had one. So naloxone is kind of the same way.”
Kerby emphasized that opioid overdoses can unfold within minutes. Every second matters while people wait for emergency responders.
Knowing the Signs of Overdose
Education matters just as much as distributing the kits. Opioid overdose symptoms can include slowed or irregular breathing, pale or bluish skin and lips, pinpoint pupils, gurgling sounds and loss of consciousness.
Organizers emphasized one rule that can save lives. When in doubt call 911 and administer naloxone.
The medication will not harm someone who is not experiencing an opioid overdose. That makes it appropriate to use when you are unsure whether opioids caused the emergency.
Free Help Beyond the Event
If you missed Thursday’s distribution, you still have options and you do not have to pay for them.
Westbrook Health Services provides free naloxone and peer led training throughout the year at offices across its eight county region.
In Wood County, residents can visit the main office at 2121 7th St. in Parkersburg and ask to meet with a peer recovery support specialist.
The agency also operates a 24/7 mobile crisis line at 304-485-1725 for crisis calls and texts. Mobile dispatch teams respond to mental health and substance use emergencies. Residents can reach general services at 304-485-1721.
Peer recovery support specialists have personal experience with recovery. They handle the practical work that helps people stay alive and move toward treatment.
They answer questions at midnight help people find free rehabs nearby and stay connected with them during the weeks after a crisis.
Free Resources
Free naloxone kits and peer training are available year round at Westbrook Health Services offices across 8 counties
Westbrook 24/7 mobile crisis line: 304-485-1725 for calls or texts
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 free confidential and available 24/7
Finding Affordable Treatment
Naloxone buys time and treatment can use that time to address the underlying substance use problem.
West Virginia residents who need the next step can check Medicaid rehab coverage. Medicaid pays for substance use treatment for eligible residents.
Rehabs.org lists free and low cost treatment options nationwide. Call
800-914-7089
(
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to find affordable care.
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