The Summit County Opiate & Addiction Task Force will sponsor a free Narcan distribution event on August 31 from 4-6pm at St. John’s Recovery Outreach Center, located at 1034 Brown St. in Akron. The event is being sponsored by the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADM) Board and supported by Catholic Charities Summit County.

Convened by the ADM Board in 2014, the Summit County Opiate & Addiction Task Force is comprised of community members committed to reducing the tragic consequences of substance use disorder in Summit County. This reduction is achieved by the task force through education, collaboration, advocacy, and the use of available resources. One such resource is the medicine naloxone—commonly known by the brand name Narcan—which can treat narcotic overdoses in emergency situations and make way for a path to recovery. The ADM Board is proud to provide this lifesaving medicine in support of the Summit County Opiate & Addiction Task Force’s mission.

“Summit County has seen the tragic consequences of the opioid epidemic, and the availability of Narcan gives us a tool everyone can use to help save lives,” Summit County Opiate & Addiction Task Force Project Manager David Monter said. “This Narcan distribution event provides a unique opportunity to provide this tool to people in the community and prevent additional deaths.”   

The free Narcan distribution event is also serving as an opportunity to bring members of the community together for socializing. Ice cream will be available for those who visit. More information about the Summit County Opiate & Addiction Task Force is available at summitcountyaddictionhelp.org.