West Chester HS Student Honored By US Congresswoman For Narcan Work

WEST CHESTER, PA — Two local students have been recognized for their outstanding work fighting the opioid crisis.

West Chester Henderson High School's Tara Ranesh and Downingtown East High School's Rohit Lobo met with U.S. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan on Monday.

Houlahan presented them with "HoulaHelper" Awards, recognitions issued by her office to community members who make important contributions to society.

"Their dedication to helping the community is truly inspiring," Houlahan shared in a statement. "Thank you, Tara and Rohit, for your outstanding work!"

Ranesh and Lobo have been working together on Project Clean Slate, a project which purchases Naloxone, that opioid overdose reversal drug, and distributes it to homeless shelters.

A total of 5,168 individuals died from opioid overdoses in Pennsylvania in 2021, the most recent year with available data, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.