DuPage Health Dept. Promotes Narcan Access Amid Overdose Awareness Day

DUPAGE COUNTY — DuPage County Health Department is promoting access to Narcan for Overdose Awareness Day, which lands on Aug. 31. The drug, also known as naloxone, can help prevent opioid overdoses.

Throughout DuPage County, there are several locations where residents can access Narcan for free. The Narcan pickup sites include:

• DuPage County Health Department's North Public Health Center, 1111 W. Lake St., Addison
• Serenity House, 891 S. Rohlwing Ave., Addison (email jarrett.Burton@serenityhouse.com to set up a pickup time)
• Bartlett Police Department, 228 S. Main St., Bartlett
• Glendale Heights Police Department, 300 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights
• York Center Fire Protection District, 1517 S. Meyers Rd., Lombard
• West Suburban Fellowship Club, 710 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville
• Roselle Public Library, 40 Park St., Roselle
• Linda Kurzawa Community Center, 115 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton
• Wheaton Police Department, 900 W. Liberty Dr., Wheaton
• Southeast Public Health Center, 422 Cass Ave., Westmont
• Stonybrook Center, 1506 E Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton
• Abraxas Woodridge Interventions, 2221 64th St., Woodridge

"International Overdose Awareness Day serves as a reminder of the importance of reducing stigma and increasing access to life-saving resources like Narcan," Adam Forker, Executive Director of DuPage County Health Department, said in statement. "By working together and making Narcan widely available, we are taking vital steps towards preventing overdose deaths and supporting those affected by substance use."

Last year, DuPage County saw 114 total overdose deaths, with 80 deaths attributed to fentanyl, 10 attributed to heroin and 18 to opioid-based prescription drugs.

" Naloxone is a very important antidote for a person who is having an overdose of opioids. It can save a life and is one of the safest medications available. It does not have any allergic or adverse reactions," DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen told Patch. "This medication should be available to all of those who have a risk of opioid exposure and possible overdose."