Free Narcan doses available in Westmoreland Co.

National Save a Life Day is Thursday.

By RICH CHOLODOFSKY
TribLive

Westmoreland County officials are aiming to saturate the region with free overdose- reversing medication during an annual statewide prevention event next week.

The county will hand out Narcan and test strips as part of its participation national Save a Life Day on Thursday.

It’s the seventh year of participation in the nationwide event held yearly to promote drug addiction awareness and prevention services.

“Overdoses can happen anywhere, and carrying Narcan gives you the power to save a life,” said Kaylee Stillwagoner, program specialist with the Westmoreland County Department of Human Services and county organizer for Save a Life Day.

Westmoreland’s human services department along with a group of 10 local nonprofit agencies will sponsor events throughout the county where residents can pick up free doses of the overdose-reversing drug, Narcan. Also available will be strips that test for fentanyl and Xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer that has gained popularity among addicts.

“We’re trying to saturate the county with Narcan,” said Tim Phillips, director of the county’s community relations and drug prevention services. “People can take as many as they want.”

Phillips said education programs offered at the locations include directions as to how to administer Narcan and use of the test strips.

“We try to get people to think of terms of that we’re not just seeing stereotypical drug addicts,” Phillips said. “It could also be your aunt who had a hip replacement and took too much pain medication.”